Jason Momoa returns as Duncan Idaho in Dune Messiah, reuniting with director Denis Villeneuve for the adaptation scheduled to begin filming this summer, while his son Nakoa-Wolf Momoa joins the cast as Leto Atreides II in his first feature role. The highly anticipated sequel continues the epic saga of Paul Atreides, as portrayed by Timothée Chalamet, deepening the narrative set in Frank Herbert’s legendary universe.
Nakoa-Wolf Momoa Steps Into the Spotlight With Star-Studded Cast
Nakoa-Wolf Momoa, age sixteen and the son of Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet, has landed a debut role in Dune: Messiah. He joins accomplished young performer Ida Brooke, who has previously starred in Apple’s Silo and the BBC’s The Primrose Railway Children. The pair are slated to play the twins, Leto II and Ghanima, the children of Paul Atreides (Chalamet) and Chani (Zendaya), marking a familial partnership both on and off screen.
The sequel brings back fan favorites, with Jason Momoa portraying Duncan Idaho—a character who, through a critical plot twist, returns as a ghola, a genetically engineered clone, and finds himself entwined in high-level conspiracies against Paul Atreides.
Plot and Characters: New Dangers and the Weight of Prophecy
Dune: Messiah adapts Frank Herbert’s 1969 novel and moves the story ahead twelve years, depicting Paul Atreides at the height of his reign as Emperor of the Known Universe. Paul’s rule, challenged by intrigue and moral ambiguity, forces him to confront the cost of supernatural leadership and the burdens of prophecy amid mounting conspiracies.
The sequel will feature the returning ensemble: Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Javier Bardem portraying Stilgar, and Josh Brolin as the battle-hardened Gurney Halleck. Reports indicate that Robert Pattinson is in talks to join the production as Scytale—a shape-shifting Face Dancer and operative of the secretive Bene Tleilax, who emerges as a pivotal antagonist with a mission to topple Paul’s empire.
Production Timeline and Creative Drive
The film, directed by Denis Villeneuve, is set to start production during the summer months, with a planned release window of December 2026. Villeneuve, known for Blade Runner 2049 and for helming the successful Dune: Part Two, has found inspiration to go forward with Messiah. After considering other projects, the director’s creative drive for completing the trilogy won out, motivated by the story’s strong visual and narrative pull.
I’m making a comeback. You got me in trouble!
—Jason Momoa, actor
While Momoa addressed his return as Duncan Idaho, he echoed comparisons to other literary adaptations where character fates are spoiled by readers’ foreknowledge. Momoa’s playful confirmation comes ahead of his character’s resurrection as a central ghola in the saga’s next chapter.
Director Denis Villeneuve’s Perspective on Returning to Arrakis
Denis Villeneuve, speaking after Dune: Part Two’s release, reflected on the experience and his drawn-out decision about starting Dune: Messiah. The director stated he considered stepping away after finishing the previous film, but a newfound creative urge sparked his return.
I think my biggest surprise about this is that I don’t want to run away from Arrakis. I’m still inspired to go back. That’s the thing that I was the most surprised by.
—Denis Villeneuve, director
He elaborated, noting his expectation of taking a significant creative hiatus, yet persistent imagery and story ideas drew him back to Herbert’s world.
But the images that kept coming back to my mind, the appetite is absolutely intact. That’s the biggest surprise. I still want to go back to Arrakis.
—Denis Villeneuve, director
What to Expect Next in the Dune Universe
Dune: Messiah stands poised to deepen relationships between its central characters, with the emotional stakes heightened by the addition of a new generation. As Jason Momoa returns as Duncan Idaho in Dune Messiah, his real-life son’s debut as Leto II promises fresh dynamics both within the Atreides family and across the political landscape of Arrakis. The sequel’s blend of established and new talent, high production pedigree, and continued focus on the complex themes of power, fate, and loyalty have fans anticipating the next evolution of Herbert’s saga, when it arrives in theaters in late 2026.
