Jason Momoa had played Paul Atreides’ mentor Duncan Idaho in the first Dune movie, but his character is eventually dead by the time the credits roll.
With Denis Villeneuve getting the go signal for a third movie, fans have been wondering if that means Duncan Idaho comes back, and Momoa confirms it. In a recent interview with TODAY, Momoa was asked about Dune 3, to which he replies, “I’m not sure if I’m going to get in trouble or not, it’s the same thing like Game of Thrones, you know what I mean? If you didn’t read the books, it’s not my fault, right?… I’m gonna be coming back. I’m making a comeback. You heard it first…”
For context, here’s a look at Momoa in Dune:
Though Duncan may have died, he does come back in the form of a ghola (a kind of clone) named Hayt who is given as a gift to emperor Paul Atreides.
Interestingly enough, Hayt also has kind of a romance with Paul’s sister Alia (Anya Taylor-Joy), and it’s possible the film could explore that.
With the change in Chani’s character by the end of Part Two though, it does look like Villeneuve is going to change some elements of the story to further drive down the point that Paul eventually destroys himself in becoming the Emperor.
While a lot think that Frank Herbert is constantly misinterpreted in his message with Dune, it does seem like Villeneuve wants to make it more clear that Paul is not a hero to aspire to like Luke Skywalker or Rey.
Dune: Messiah is set to come out on Dec. 18, 2026.
