Abu Dhabi is set to welcome the Dune saga back to its sands for Dune: Part Three, with production scheduled to begin in the UAE capital later this year and a release planned for December 2026, according to the Abu Dhabi Film Commission.
Filming will unfold across the Liwa Desert, as the commission noted in a social post, signaling a return to the sweeping dune landscapes that have become iconic for the franchise.
The project will be supported by Creative Media Authority and the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, with Abu Dhabi production company Image Nation serving as a production partner. This collaboration underscores Abu Dhabi’s growing role as a major hub for Hollywood blockbusters.
Dune: Part Three will bring back Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya in their iconic roles, with Jason Momoa also confirmed to return after appearing in the first film. In contrast, he did not appear in Part Two.
Director Denis Villeneuve has already signaled that the next installment may not simply conclude a trilogy. He has described the first two films as a diptych that adapts the first book, and he suggested that if a third film materializes, it would strive to stand apart with its own identity rather than serve as a conventional finale.
Dune’s UAE shoots form part of a broader trend of big-budget productions filmed in Abu Dhabi. The emirate has hosted other high-profile projects, including F1 The Movie, which shot in 2024 with Brad Pitt in the lead, and Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, the third installment that is slated for release later this year.
Why this matters: Abu Dhabi’s film-friendly environment, combined with its iconic desert landscapes, continues to attract large-scale productions, creating jobs for local crews and boosting regional infrastructure. The ongoing collaboration among local authorities, production companies, and international filmmakers highlights the city’s ambition to be a global destination for cinema.
Additional notes for readers: Watch for behind-the-scenes updates on Liwa desert locations and further casting announcements as filming progresses. The Dune franchise’s expansion in the region also reflects broader efforts to diversify global film production hubs and capitalize on diverse landscapes for future cinematic projects. Positive momentum here bodes well for local talent development and continued international engagement in the UAE’s entertainment industry.