According to multiple sources, the latest box-office hit is scheduled to film its second installment late next year, and set for release in October of 2023. Reporter Josh Encinias confirmed Warner Bros’ definite start date for July 18, 2023, according to a producer whom was present during a screening of Dune.

In the second film in the sci-fi trilogy based on Frank Herbert’s novel of the same name, fans are expected to dive deeper into the story of Zendaya’s character, Chani, who plays the love interest of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), and only received a minimal amount of time onscreen in Dune.

According to Collider, the film’s director, Denis Villenueve, has begun working on the script for the second installment, having begun months before the project was even confirmed:

“I’m writing [Part Two] now, and I feel like I’m eight years old again. That’s very uncommon for me. It’s the first time I’ve experienced it where I’m watching one of my movies, and I have a moment of deep gratitude, of deep joy, and I say, ‘Thank you, life, for having allowed me to bring that to the screen.’ [laughs] I don’t know how other people will feel about it. But me? Denis Villeneuve when he was 14 years old? Thank you.”

Dune is rated PG-13. Also starring Rebecca Ferguson, Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin, and Javier Bardem. 

Dune is currently playing in theaters everywhere, and will be available on HBO Max until November 22.