Fans of 'Dune' know that the recent hit film only told half the story, and fans have been clamouring for more.
Director Denis Villeneuve has offered an update to British film magazine Empire, and the Canadian director says that filming is expected to begin in the late summer.
"I will say it is mostly designed," the Canadian auteur said.
"The thing that helps us right now is that it’s the first time I’ve revisited a universe - so I’m working with the same crew, everybody knows what to do, we know what it will look like."
"The movie will be more challenging, but we know where we are stepping, and the screenplay is written, so I feel confident."
"Frankly, the only big unknown for me right now is the pandemic," he added.
'Dune' picked up 10 Oscar nominations last week, most notably including nods in Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay, with Villeneuve controversially missing out in Best Director.
Of course, the story is only half-finished and Villeneuve discussed what he plans to tackle in the sequel.
"When you adapt, you have to make bold choices in order for the things to come to life, and I think that was the best way to introduce this world to a wide audience.
"In the second one, I want to have more flexibility, and it will be possible to go a little bit deeper into some of these details,” he told Empire.
“It’s like a chess game - some new characters will be introduced in the second part and a decision I made very early on was that this first part would be more about Paul Atreides and the Bene Gesserit, and his experience of being in contact for the first time with a different culture."
"In the second part, there will be much more Harkonnen stuff," he added.
Harkonnen was memorably portrayed by Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård in the film, and fans will be glad to know the floating baddie will return.
Villeneuve is an avowed fan of the book, telling us prior to the release of the film "the diet on this movie was exclusively the book".
With regards to making a sequel, the director was bullish speaking to Empire, saying "I just want to experience it, be present with it, every single moment of it".
"When I shoot a film, I shoot it like all my movies, as if it’s the last one. I will do the same with Part Two."
'Dune: Part Two' is due for release in late 2023.
