‘Dune 3’ Spoilers Ahead: Jason Momoa Explains Duncan Idaho’s Shocking Return and What It Means for the Future

Jason Momoa is making waves once again with an exciting update for Dune fans. During an appearance on TODAY with Craig Melvin, the actor confirmed that he will reprise his role as Duncan Idaho for the highly anticipated third installment of Denis Villeneuve’s epic Dune series.

“I’m making a comeback,” Momoa shared with enthusiasm, adding, “You heard it first, right here with you, baby.” While Warner Bros. did not immediately provide comment on the confirmation, Momoa’s words left no room for doubt about his return to the sprawling sci-fi franchise.

Momoa first joined the Dune universe in 2021, portraying Duncan Idaho, a skilled swordmaster and mentor to Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides. However, in the first film, Duncan meets a heroic but tragic end, sacrificing himself to allow Paul and his mother, Jessica, to escape from the Sardaukar soldiers. This sacrifice was a pivotal moment in the first film, leaving fans to wonder how his character could return in Dune 3.

For those familiar with the Dune novels by Frank Herbert, Momoa’s return isn’t a spoiler. In the original six-book series, Duncan Idaho is resurrected in the form of a clone, a plot point that has already been established in the books. When asked by Melvin whether Duncan’s return in Dune 3 would follow this storyline, Momoa responded candidly, “Well, I’m not sure if I’m going to get in trouble or not, but 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? Yeah, there’s going to be … I’m going to be coming back.”

This playful comment nods to the fact that the source material for Dune—Frank Herbert’s legendary science fiction saga—has been a rich well of material for the films. While the Dune movies haven’t yet delved into all the complex aspects of the books, they remain faithful to the essence of Herbert’s vision, and Momoa’s statement confirms that his character’s return is well within the established narrative.

The announcement of Dune 3 follows the huge success of Dune: Part Two, which grossed a staggering $711 million worldwide in 2024. In April 2024, Legendary confirmed that development on the third film was officially underway. The movie will be based on Dune: Messiah, the second novel in Herbert’s series, though director Denis Villeneuve has emphasized that the third film will not conclude the saga in the traditional sense of a trilogy.

Villeneuve explained last year, “First, it’s important that people understand that for me, it was really a diptych. It was really a pair of movies that will be the adaptation of the first book. That’s done and that’s finished. If I do a third one, which is in the writing process, it’s not like a trilogy. It’s strange to say that, but if I go back there, it’s to do something that feels different and has its own identity.”

With Villeneuve’s vision for the series expanding, Dune 3 will continue to explore the complexities of the Dune universe, while building upon the storylines already established in the first two films. Fans can expect a fresh direction for the franchise, with Momoa’s return promising to add new layers of depth to Duncan Idaho’s character and the narrative as a whole.

As Dune fans eagerly await the release of Dune 3, Momoa’s confirmation has fueled excitement and speculation about what’s to come. Will Duncan Idaho’s return shift the power dynamics in the galaxy, and how will Paul Atreides’ journey evolve with his mentor back in the fold? Time will tell, but for now, fans can look forward to another captivating chapter in one of Hollywood’s most visually stunning and narratively intricate franchises.