Deadline has learned that Dune: Part Two will now be released in theaters on March 15, 2024 instead of November 3, 2023. This is reportedly all thanks to the SAG-AFTRA strike that has been ongoing since July, with actors and other members of the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists making their case for better pay and working conditions, not to mention other concerns that include talent potentially being replaced by artificial intelligence. Dune: Part Two reunites director Denis Villeneuve with many of the original’s stars, including Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, who are reprising their roles of Paul Atreides and Chani, respectively. The original Dune (2021) has made $402,027,830 worldwide.
Dune: Part Two is taking the date previously held by Legendary’s Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire, which now moves to April 12. Scheduled on that date was New Line’s animated feature, Lord of the Rings: The War of Rohirrim, which has been pushed to December 13, 2024. Godzilla X Kong on its new date remains unopposed by any rival tentpoles. The only other movie dated on December 13 next year is Sony’s reboot of The Karate Kid. The Dune sequel also remains unopposed currently on its new March date.