Photo Credit: Warner Bros
Dune: Part Three is already set to be one of the biggest releases of the year, and will look unlike any other sci-fi film for one big reason.
What did Denis Villeneuve say about Dune 3’s IMAX visuals?
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Dune: Part Three cinematographer Linus Sandgren revealed that he had lensmaker Atlas Lens hand-craft a special, custom spherical IMAX lens for the upcoming sequel. The lens, Sandgren explains, was crafted to capture director Denis Villeneuve‘s specific style for the Dune films, particularly the film’s flares while on the desert planet of Arrakis.
“I envisioned lenses that could create specific optical characteristics, particularly the flares, that would be unique to this film,” said Sandgren. “Atlas rose to an incredible challenge, designing and hand-crafting these IMAX lenses in remarkable time. Their team worked around the clock to bring our vision to life, and the results are truly astonishing.”
In order to make the lenses, Atlas had to use “new design techniques and coating methods to cater specifically to the IMAX format,” said Forrest Schultz, president, co-founder and Lead designer at Atlas Lens. “Our team met the challenge by expanding our machining capabilities, developing in-house coating equipment, and refining our build and calibration processes to meet the demands of the IMAX experience.”
Villeneuve noted that the lens helped “capture the essence of Arrakis in a way that was unique to this movie.” The new lenses will be shown off for the first time at the upcoming Pacific Northwest Lens Summit, which takes place in Portland, Oregon, from March 20-21, 2026.
Dune: Part Three is once again directed by Denis Villeneuve, who was behind the camera for the first two films. The third film in the franchise is based on Frank Herbert’s 1969 novel Dune Messiah. Alongside Chalamet, who returns as Paul Atreides, the cast of Dune: Part 3 also includes Zendaya as Chani, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho, Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Nakoa-Wolf Momoa as Leto II Atreides, and Ida Brooke as Ghanima Atreides. Robert Pattinson is also set to appear in the film in an undisclosed role.
A description of Herbier’s novel reads, “Dune Messiah continues the story of Paul Atreides, better known—and feared—as the man christened Muad’Dib. As Emperor of the known universe, he possesses more power than a single man was ever meant to wield. Worshiped as a religious icon by the fanatical Fremen, Paul faces the enmity of the political houses he displaced when he assumed the throne—and a conspiracy conducted within his own sphere of influence.
2021’s Dune and 2022’s Dune: Part Two received critical acclaim, with many fans and critics praising Villeneuve’s faithful adaptations. The two movies have combined to gross over $1 billion at the worldwide box office.
Originally published by Anthony Nash at Coming Soon.
