Excitement is building for Dune 3 as new casting news has emerged, revealing that Jason Momoa’s son, Nakoa-Wolf Momoa, and Ida Brooke from Silo will join the cast as Leto II and Ghanima, the twin children of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and Chani (Zendaya).
Fans of Frank Herbert’s Dune series will recognize these characters, though their appearance might delve into spoiler territory for those unfamiliar with the plot.
The twins, Leto II and Ghanima, were born 12 years after Paul’s rise to Emperor. The story takes place after the events of the first film and leads into Dune Messiah, which explores Paul’s jihad and the consequences of his galactic conquest. In the books, the twins are born with pre-born consciousness, meaning they carry the wisdom and powers of their ancestors, including Paul’s, even before birth.
For those who’ve been following the Dune saga, the casting of Nakoa-Wolf as Leto II and Ida as Ghanima will come as little surprise. However, the fact that these characters are being introduced so early in the franchise signals a major shift in tone and direction. It’s unclear how director Denis Villeneuve will balance their portrayal with the existing narrative, especially given the twins’ complex relationship with their parents and their eventual pivotal roles in the Dune universe.
Interestingly, the announcement comes shortly after Jason Momoa confirmed his return to the series. While his character, Duncan Idaho, met his end in the first film, he’s set to return in a new form-cloned as a ghola-as part of the storyline in Dune Messiah, further blurring the lines between life and death in the Dune universe.
With production already underway, Dune 3 is slated for release in 2026, and it promises to continue exploring the dark and thrilling world of Arrakis, with its intricate politics, family drama, and the struggle for control of the universe.