Florence Pugh is officially set to reprise her role as Princess Irulan in Dune 3, continuing her journey in Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi universe.
After her introduction in Dune: Part Two as the daughter of Emperor Shaddam IV (played by Christopher Walken), Irulan agreed to marry Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) in the film’s climactic moments—securing her father’s life in return. Though her screen time was limited in the second installment, that’s about to change.
In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Pugh expressed her enthusiasm for expanding Irulan’s role in the upcoming third film. “I hope we see more of her. I want more cool outfits!” she said with a laugh, hinting at her character’s potential growth and visual flair.
Director Denis Villeneuve previously teased a larger arc for Irulan in the Dune trilogy, suggesting her development will mirror that of Zendaya’s Chani—who had a minor role in Part One before taking center stage in Part Two. “I introduced Chani in Dune, and she became one of the main characters in Part Two,” Villeneuve explained. “I’m doing the same with Florence. If there’s a Dune Messiah, she becomes one of the main characters.”
Joining Pugh in the confirmed cast for Dune 3 is Jason Momoa, who will return as Duncan Idaho—despite the character’s apparent death in the first film. Drawing from Herbert’s original novels, Idaho returns as a “ghola” (a regenerated version of himself), gifted to Paul as part of a major storyline in Dune Messiah.
Momoa spilled the beans during a press tour for A Minecraft Movie, saying, “Well, I’m not sure if I’m going to get in trouble or not, but it’s like Game of Thrones. If you didn’t read the books, it’s not my fault! I’m coming back.”
Filming for Dune 3 is expected to begin this summer, with the film slated for release on December 18, 2026.