Florence Pugh has confirmed her return as Princess Irulan in Denis Villeneuve’s highly anticipated sequel, Dune: Messiah. After making a striking debut as the politically savvy daughter of the dethroned Emperor in Dune: Part Two, Pugh has opened up about her future in the epic sci-fi series in a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar.
In the interview, Pugh teased that her character’s journey is far from over. Princess Irulan was introduced in the second part of Dune as a strategic player, agreeing to marry Paul Atreides (played by Timothée Chalamet) to save her father’s life, despite knowing that his heart truly belongs to Chani (Zendaya). Pugh hinted that her role will expand further in Dune: Messiah, though she kept plot details under wraps. Her excitement about returning to the role, paired with her desire for more royal couture, signals that Irulan’s character will play a pivotal part in the upcoming threequel.
The film is expected to feature a significant portion of the returning cast, including Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, and Javier Bardem. In a surprising development, Jason Momoa is confirmed to reprise his role as Duncan Idaho, a character who was notably absent in Dune: Part Two. Additionally, Robert Pattinson is rumored to be circling a major villain role, though no official details have been confirmed.
Denis Villeneuve, who directed the first two parts of Dune, will once again helm the project, both writing and directing. While an official premiere date for Dune: Messiah has not yet been locked in, insiders suggest a summer 2026 release window.
As Dune: Messiah begins filming soon, fans can look forward to more political intrigue, deeper character arcs, and, of course, jaw-dropping costumes. Pugh promises that her portrayal of Irulan will bring a nuanced and powerful performance as the character navigates her complex position as both consort and outsider.
In the meantime, fans can catch up on Dune: Part Two, which is now available for streaming on Max.
