Dune: Part Three begins with war sequence reminiscent of Saving Private Ryan

At a glance:

• Denis Villeneuve's "Dune: Part Three" opens with a war sequence reminiscent of "Saving Private Ryan"
• The first seven minutes were revealed at CinemaCon, showing Fremen soldiers deploying on a rainy planet
• The film is set for release on December 18, 2023

The Opening Sequence

The opening of "Dune: Part Three" begins with drums beating louder and faster, building tension as rectangular-shaped ships are shot into space. These vessels make their way through the atmosphere of an unknown planet, with lightning strikes all around as they enter and plunge towards the surface. Several ships are destroyed by the harsh weather conditions as they continue their descent. The ships that survive level out and fly along the surface, reminiscent of Star Wars as the rectangular vehicles coast along the ground. Soldiers on board express nervous energy, with one noting the water falling from the sky, a phenomenon they've apparently never witnessed before.

Fremen Deployment

Stilgar, played by Javier Bardem, is among the soldiers deploying as the scene cuts inside the vessels. The Fremen soldiers emerge onto the rainy planet, initially confused and confounded by the weather but pushing forward nonetheless. They emerge from their ships onto the quiet planet, waiting and listening as the rain falls around them. Despite the beautiful sound of the rain, their peace is abruptly interrupted by a torrent of laser blasts that tear through several ships, causing explosions and burning people. A glimpse through binoculars reveals that the devastating fire is coming from just one gun, setting the stage for the intense conflict to come.

The Enemy Revealed

The ground rises up miles away as a massive structure emerges from the planet's surface, reminiscent of an atomic bomb in its scale and impact. From several levels of this structure, more laser fire emerges, raining down on the Fremen as they desperately take cover. People die and ships explode as the Fremen attempt to understand and counter this unexpected attack. Just when they think they've figured out the situation, a massive blast comes from the sky, attempting to battle back and destroy the weapons. Despite their efforts, lasers continue to fire, turning ships and people into "Swiss cheese" as the article describes, with the Fremen's shield-piercer weapon proving ineffective as all blasts deflect back and kill more people.

The Human Cost

One particularly poignant moment shows a Fremen soldier running away in fear, defeated, only to be cut down anyway. The large enemy ship moves forward as the laser fire continues unabated, with the article noting that "none of this looks good" for the Fremen forces. This sequence highlights the brutal nature of the conflict and the significant human cost of war, a theme that appears central to this installment of the Dune saga. The intense action and high stakes establish the tone for what promises to be a dramatic continuation of the story.

Trailer Reveal

Following the opening sequence, the trailer for "Dune: Part Three" was revealed, featuring footage similar to the first teaser but with new elements as well. In one exchange, Paul asks the clone of Duncan Idaho, Hayt, "What know about me?" to which Hayt responds, "You conquered the galaxy. You destroyed thousands of worlds." When Paul asks for thoughts on this, Duncan states, "You're way beyond redemption." This dialogue suggests a complex exploration of Paul's character and the consequences of his actions, adding depth to the narrative beyond the action sequences.

Additional Footage

The trailer cuts quickly between various scenes, showing Paul's sister covered in blood and a group of people almost dressed as "sci-fi samurai" lining up to fight. Chani, played by Zendaya, is shown challenging Paul, while Paul is depicted fighting with Duncan. In a significant character moment, Paul admits that he needs Duncan, suggesting a complex relationship between the two characters. The trailer concludes with a shot of a giant sandworm emerging on Arrakis, reminding viewers of the iconic elements of the Dune universe that will feature prominently in this installment.

Release Information

"Dune: Part Three" is set to open on December 18, 2023, continuing Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of Frank Herbert's classic science fiction series. The film represents the third installment in Villeneuve's Dune saga, following "Dune" (2021) and "Dune: Part Two" (which was released earlier in 2024). The opening sequence revealed at CinemaCon suggests that this installment will focus heavily on the consequences of Paul's actions and the brutal realities of war, themes that have been central to the Dune narrative since Herbert's original novel.