--- title: "\"Dune: Part Three\": Empire reveals covers featuring Chalamet, Zendaya, and Robert Pattinson" description: "Empire magazine has released three covers for \"Dune: Part Three\" featuring Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Robert Pattinson. Villeneuve and the cast revealed plot details: events take place 17 years after Part Two, with a release slated for December 2026." date: 2026-10-16T11:14:40.155Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/dune-part-three-empire-covers-chalamet-zendaya-pattinson tags: [dune-part-three, timoth-e-chalamet, zendaya, denis-villeneuve, robert-pattinson, anya-taylor-joy, hollywood, movie-premiere] author: "Marina Slivenko" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # "Dune: Part Three": Empire reveals covers featuring Chalamet, Zendaya, and Robert Pattinson ![Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides on the set of Dune Part Three in the desert](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/16/dune-chast-tretya-empire-oblozhki-shalam-zendeya-pattinson/dune-chast-tretya-empire-oblozhki-shalam-zendeya-pattinson-1.webp) ## Key Points - On October 15, Empire published three covers for "Dune: Part Three" featuring Chalamet, Zendaya, Pugh, and Pattinson - The plot jumps roughly 17 years after Part Two as Paul Atreides rules as emperor, based on the novel "Dune Messiah" - Villeneuve, Chalamet, and Zendaya described the finale as a story of siege, paranoia, and Chani's emotional pain - Robert Pattinson and Anya Taylor-Joy join the cast with an expanded role - Release: December 18, 2026 in North America, international release starting December 16, 2026 Ahead of the premiere of Denis Villeneuve's concluding film in the Arrakis trilogy, new promotional materials have arrived. On October 15, Empire magazine unveiled three distinct covers dedicated to "Dune: Part Three," while the director and lead cast members shared details in companion interviews about the plot and tone of the final installment, arriving in theaters in December 2026. ### Three covers and new faces One of the covers centers on Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet. Flanking him are Chani (Zendaya), Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh), and the enigmatic character Scytale, portrayed by Robert Pattinson. The second cover focuses on Zendaya’s character, complemented by Chalamet, Jason Momoa, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides. A third subscriber-exclusive cover was created by artist Greg Ruth. The new visuals highlight shifting character dynamics, the struggle for power, and the consequences of Paul Atreides's decisions. ### Plot: An empire on the brink Set roughly 17 years after the events of the second film, the upcoming story follows Paul Atreides as emperor. However, his reign has sparked new conflicts, forcing the protagonist to confront the fallout of his choices, political conspiracies, and threats to those closest to him. The narrative is rooted in Frank Herbert’s novel "Dune Messiah," which continues the story from the first book. ### Villeneuve and the cast on the tone of the finale In his conversation with Empire, Denis Villeneuve emphasized that the upcoming film will differ significantly from the previous two: the director sought to preserve the franchise's recognizable atmosphere while shifting the pacing and perspective on familiar heroes. Timothée Chalamet described the final chapter as a standalone story carrying the atmosphere of a siege, paranoia, and isolation. Meanwhile, Zendaya shared that her character Chani will experience profound emotional pain stemming from Paul’s betrayal seen at the end of the previous movie. ### Cast and crew Returning cast members include Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Javier Bardem, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, and Jason Momoa. New additions feature Robert Pattinson as a key antagonist and Anya Taylor-Joy, who takes on a much larger role following her brief appearance in Part Two. Denis Villeneuve returns to direct, co-writing the script with Jon Spaihts (or rather Brian C. Waiver/Brian K. Vaughan as noted in Russian text), while Hans Zimmer returns to compose the score. ### Release dates "Dune: Part Three" is scheduled to premiere in North America on December 18, 2026, with an international rollout beginning December 16; select theaters will offer early screenings. The film will conclude Villeneuve’s trilogy, whose first two parts were released in 2021 and 2024. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Шаламе, Зендея и новые тайны Арракиса: появились новые кадры из третьей части "Дюны"](https://wave.rbc.ua/ukr/culture/shalame-zendeya-ta-novi-taemnitsi-arrakisa-1792145746.html) - Source material: Empire covers from October 15, plot details, quotes from Villeneuve, Chalamet, and Zendaya, cast information, and release dates (Dec 18, 2026 in North America, Dec 16, 2026 internationally). ## FAQ ### When will "Dune: Part Three" be released? The North American premiere is set for December 18, 2026, with international screenings beginning December 16, 2026, alongside early previews in select cinemas. ### Who has joined the cast for the third installment? New cast members include Robert Pattinson as a key antagonist and Anya Taylor-Joy, who will play a significantly larger role than in the second film. ### What is the plot of the final installment based on? The plot is based on Frank Herbert's novel "Dune Messiah" and takes place approximately 17 years after the events of the second movie, when Paul Atreides has become emperor.