While doing press for A Minecraft Movie, Jason Momoa confirmed he will be returning to the Dune series in Dune: Messiah. Viewers might be a little confused as his character, Duncan Idaho, died in the first Dune movie. The actor joked with his announcement, “If you didn’t read the books, it’s not my fault.”
Jason Momoa will get brought back thanks to some science fiction technology in Dune Messiah, the book that serves as the inspiration for Dune: Messiah. The actor’s role will be a little different as the group that brings him back has malicious intentions. However, this could be a good thing, giving the film a different energy than the last two films. Here’s what to know about Duncan Idaho’s return.
- Release Date
-
December 18, 2026
- Director
-
Denis Villeneuve
- Writers
-
Jon Spaihts
- Producers
-
John Harrison, Mary Parent, Richard P. Rubinstein, Thomas Tull, Tanya Lapointe
- Prequel(s)
-
Dune, Dune: Part Two
- Franchise(s)
-
Dune
Cast
-
Timothée Chalamet
Paul Atreides
In the Books, Duncan Idaho Returns as a Clone
In the 2021 Dune movie, Jason Momoa’s character, Duncan Idaho, dies in the second half of the film. It seems pretty hard for Momoa to make another appearance if his character is dead, but because Dune is science fiction, it’s actually quite easy. The books have a clear answer about how Momoa can return, although the actor won’t be playing the same exact character.
Dune: Part Three will be based on the sequel to the first Dune book, titled Dune Messiah. In that book, Duncan Idaho is recreated by a group called the Bene Tleilax. The Tleilaxu first appear in the Dune Messiah book, but they also appear in Dune‘s prequel TV show, Dune: Prophecy. In the show, the Bene Tleilax demonstrate their technological power by creating face dancers, which are human-like but have the ability to change their faces.
In Dune Messiah, the Bene Tleilax show even more of their power by creating a new version of Duncan Idaho. While this reincarnation is similar to a clone, it’s also a little different. The clones in the Dune series are referred to as “gholas,” and Duncan Idaho’s ghola is actually named Hayt. Hayt does not share Duncan Idaho’s memories either. In the book, Hayt is sent to Paul Atreides as a gift, although the Tleilaxu have evil intentions. Hayt is programmed by the Tleilaxu to tempt Paul and even tries to kill Paul at one point, before Hayt gets Duncan Idaho’s memories back.
Hayt’s presence in the movie also opens the door for another romantic plot in Dune: Part Three. In Dune Messiah, Hayt falls in love with Paul Atreides’ sister, Alia, who was portrayed by Anya Taylor-Joy in Dune: Part Two. Dune Messiah just shows the beginnings of Duncan Idaho and Alia Atreides’ relationship, but they eventually get married in the books. Anya Taylor-Joy has already confirmed she’ll return for the third film, further hinting that audiences will see this romance on screen.
Jason Momoa Returning Is a Good Thing
Jason Momoa’s return is the best news yet about the upcoming Dune film. In the first Dune, Duncan Idaho was one of the best parts. He and Paul Atreides acted like friends would, which feels rare in a series that’s so focused on war. Unfortunately, Duncan Idaho’s time with Paul Atreides was cut short as he died while protecting House Atreides.
With Momoa returning in Dune Part Three, viewers will get to see more of Paul Atreides’ relationship with Duncan Idaho. It won’t be the exact same as Duncan Idaho won’t have the same memories and will be trying to tempt Paul, but this adds a thrilling layer. Maybe when Hayt gets Duncan Idaho’s memories back, their relationship will be similar to what it was in the first film.
Related
Everything We Know About ‘Dune: Messiah’
We hope you still have your stillsuit on because Denis Villanueve’s epic trilogy will soon come to an end with ‘Dune: Messiah’.
This isn’t the first time the Dune series has reinvented a character from the first film, and in the last case, it worked out great. In Dune, Josh Brolin’s character, Gurney Halleck, was very serious as he served as the War Master for House Atreides. However, in Dune: Part Two, with House Atreides in ruins, he was able to relax a little more. Gurney Halleck was more sarcastic in Dune: Part Two and added a much-needed layer of humor to the film, while also making Brolin one of the best parts of the film.
Jason Momoa could have a similar transformation in Dune: Part Three. Momoa’s shown his comedic chops in recent films like A Minecraft Movie, and with Hayt struggling to remember his old life, the actor could add some humor to Dune: Part Three. However, his part in the new movie seems like it could turn pretty dark, and Duncan Idaho’s reintroduction to the series might not be so lighthearted.
‘Dune: Part Three’ Might Seem Dark to Non-Readers
Dune: Part Two felt a bit darker than Dune, especially with the introduction of Austin Butler’s character Feyd-Rautha. Fans of the Dune books know the series is about to get even darker with the adaptation of Dune Messiah. The book shows more of Paul Atreides’ reign as emperor and messiah to the Fremen, although his visions show that it’s not a good path for the universe. He’s forced to marry Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh), while also getting visions that having a child with Chani (Zendaya) would kill her.
Related
Okay, Those ‘Dune 4’ Rumors Could Actually Work
Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. are eyeing Gareth Edwards to take over for Denis Villeneuve after ‘Dune: Messiah.’
Groups like the Bene Gesserit and the Bene Tleilax work to dethrone Paul. Their plots lead to deadly battles that result in the deaths of many soldiers. The groups also send different assassins in hopes of killing Paul. The actions in the book lead to the deaths of many major characters, some beloved by fans of the films. Luckily, Dune: Part Three doesn’t release until December 16, 2026, giving non-readers a chance to prepare themselves by reading Dune Messiah.
While doing press for A Minecraft Movie, Jason Momoa confirmed he will be returning to the Dune series in Dune: Messiah. Viewers might be a little confused as his character, Duncan Idaho, died in the first Dune movie. The actor joked with his announcement, “If you didn’t read the books, it’s not my fault.”
Jason Momoa will get brought back thanks to some science fiction technology in Dune Messiah, the book that serves as the inspiration for Dune: Messiah. The actor’s role will be a little different as the group that brings him back has malicious intentions. However, this could be a good thing, giving the film a different energy than the last two films. Here’s what to know about Duncan Idaho’s return.
- Release Date
-
December 18, 2026
- Director
-
Denis Villeneuve
- Writers
-
Jon Spaihts
- Producers
-
John Harrison, Mary Parent, Richard P. Rubinstein, Thomas Tull, Tanya Lapointe
- Prequel(s)
-
Dune, Dune: Part Two
- Franchise(s)
-
Dune
Cast
-
Timothée Chalamet
Paul Atreides
In the Books, Duncan Idaho Returns as a Clone
In the 2021 Dune movie, Jason Momoa’s character, Duncan Idaho, dies in the second half of the film. It seems pretty hard for Momoa to make another appearance if his character is dead, but because Dune is science fiction, it’s actually quite easy. The books have a clear answer about how Momoa can return, although the actor won’t be playing the same exact character.
Dune: Part Three will be based on the sequel to the first Dune book, titled Dune Messiah. In that book, Duncan Idaho is recreated by a group called the Bene Tleilax. The Tleilaxu first appear in the Dune Messiah book, but they also appear in Dune‘s prequel TV show, Dune: Prophecy. In the show, the Bene Tleilax demonstrate their technological power by creating face dancers, which are human-like but have the ability to change their faces.
In Dune Messiah, the Bene Tleilax show even more of their power by creating a new version of Duncan Idaho. While this reincarnation is similar to a clone, it’s also a little different. The clones in the Dune series are referred to as “gholas,” and Duncan Idaho’s ghola is actually named Hayt. Hayt does not share Duncan Idaho’s memories either. In the book, Hayt is sent to Paul Atreides as a gift, although the Tleilaxu have evil intentions. Hayt is programmed by the Tleilaxu to tempt Paul and even tries to kill Paul at one point, before Hayt gets Duncan Idaho’s memories back.
Hayt’s presence in the movie also opens the door for another romantic plot in Dune: Part Three. In Dune Messiah, Hayt falls in love with Paul Atreides’ sister, Alia, who was portrayed by Anya Taylor-Joy in Dune: Part Two. Dune Messiah just shows the beginnings of Duncan Idaho and Alia Atreides’ relationship, but they eventually get married in the books. Anya Taylor-Joy has already confirmed she’ll return for the third film, further hinting that audiences will see this romance on screen.
Jason Momoa Returning Is a Good Thing
Jason Momoa’s return is the best news yet about the upcoming Dune film. In the first Dune, Duncan Idaho was one of the best parts. He and Paul Atreides acted like friends would, which feels rare in a series that’s so focused on war. Unfortunately, Duncan Idaho’s time with Paul Atreides was cut short as he died while protecting House Atreides.
With Momoa returning in Dune Part Three, viewers will get to see more of Paul Atreides’ relationship with Duncan Idaho. It won’t be the exact same as Duncan Idaho won’t have the same memories and will be trying to tempt Paul, but this adds a thrilling layer. Maybe when Hayt gets Duncan Idaho’s memories back, their relationship will be similar to what it was in the first film.
Related
Everything We Know About ‘Dune: Messiah’
We hope you still have your stillsuit on because Denis Villanueve’s epic trilogy will soon come to an end with ‘Dune: Messiah’.
This isn’t the first time the Dune series has reinvented a character from the first film, and in the last case, it worked out great. In Dune, Josh Brolin’s character, Gurney Halleck, was very serious as he served as the War Master for House Atreides. However, in Dune: Part Two, with House Atreides in ruins, he was able to relax a little more. Gurney Halleck was more sarcastic in Dune: Part Two and added a much-needed layer of humor to the film, while also making Brolin one of the best parts of the film.
Jason Momoa could have a similar transformation in Dune: Part Three. Momoa’s shown his comedic chops in recent films like A Minecraft Movie, and with Hayt struggling to remember his old life, the actor could add some humor to Dune: Part Three. However, his part in the new movie seems like it could turn pretty dark, and Duncan Idaho’s reintroduction to the series might not be so lighthearted.
‘Dune: Part Three’ Might Seem Dark to Non-Readers
Dune: Part Two felt a bit darker than Dune, especially with the introduction of Austin Butler’s character Feyd-Rautha. Fans of the Dune books know the series is about to get even darker with the adaptation of Dune Messiah. The book shows more of Paul Atreides’ reign as emperor and messiah to the Fremen, although his visions show that it’s not a good path for the universe. He’s forced to marry Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh), while also getting visions that having a child with Chani (Zendaya) would kill her.
Related
Okay, Those ‘Dune 4’ Rumors Could Actually Work
Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. are eyeing Gareth Edwards to take over for Denis Villeneuve after ‘Dune: Messiah.’
Groups like the Bene Gesserit and the Bene Tleilax work to dethrone Paul. Their plots lead to deadly battles that result in the deaths of many soldiers. The groups also send different assassins in hopes of killing Paul. The actions in the book lead to the deaths of many major characters, some beloved by fans of the films. Luckily, Dune: Part Three doesn’t release until December 16, 2026, giving non-readers a chance to prepare themselves by reading Dune Messiah.
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