Legendary composerHans Zimmerhas provided an update onDune: Messiah, the third installment inDenis Villeneuve’s sci-fi franchise. Zimmer scored both the 2021 and 2024 entries and even won the Oscar for his work onDune: Part Two, and it has already been confirmed that he will return to compose the music for the third and final film under Villeneuve,Dune: Messiah. It was reported a few weeks ago thatDune: Messiahwould begin filming this summer, with most of its leading ensemble expected to return. However, during a recent Q&A with Collider’s ownSteve WeintraubforHans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond in the Desert,Zimmer provided an update onDune: Part Threethat comes as a bit of a shock, considering its production timeline:
“Dune 2 was written before Denis started shooting because we weren’t greenlit for the longest time. Have I started writing [Messiah]? No. Not quite yet. Oh, god, it’s a very complicated one, butI love working with Denis so I’m actually going to just focus on that, nothing else, and just really spend the time doing it.”
After winning the Oscar for Best Original Score for his work onDune: Part Onein 2021, Zimmer wasn’t even nominated for his work onDune: Part Twodue to a technicality. The Academy declared that hisPart Twoscore was too similar to hisPart Onescore, and therefore, it would be ineligible to contend for an Oscar. DirectorDenis Villeneuve was the first to break his silenceon this near the end of 2024, saying that he “didn’t accept” Zimmer’s work not even being eligible.Zimmer also spoke up not long after, highlighting thatDune: Part OneandPart Twoare two halves of one whole — parts of one story — and that it wouldn’t make sense to have entirely new themes for the second chapter. Still, the Academy held firm, and the award for Best Score went toThe Brutalist.
What Else Has Hans Zimmer Scored Over the Years?
Some of Hans Zimmer’s most famous work came from composing the score to the originalGladiatorfilm starringRussell Croweand directed byRidley Scott, but he did not return for the sequel and was instead replaced byHarry Gregson-Williams. He even worked withChristopher Nolanon all three chapters in his Batman franchise and onInceptionandInterstellar. Zimmer also worked with Denis Villeneuve before the two teamed up forDuneonBlade Runner 2049, the legacy sequel starringRyan GoslingandHarrison Ford, and he scored both the animated and live-action versions ofThe Lion King.
Dune: Messiahwill reportedly begin filming this summer. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates and coverage of the film and watchDune: Part TwoonMax.
For more with Zimmer, watch the full Q&A below.
Dune: Part Three
