Rabat – The sweeping dunes of the Liwa Desert take center stage in the first trailer for “Dune: Part Three,” offering audiences a stunning glimpse of the real-world landscape that helps bring the fictional planet Arrakis to life. 

Released by Warner Bros., the teaser quickly drew attention not only for its epic scale but also for its striking desert visuals filmed in Abu Dhabi.

The opening shots showcase endless golden dunes stretching toward the horizon, creating a landscape so surreal it easily passes for an alien world, despite being very real.

This isn’t the first time Liwa has played a role in the franchise. The region previously hosted filming for “Dune” and “Dune: Part Two,” reinforcing the strong connection between the blockbuster series and the United Arab Emirates’ cinematic landscape. 

With its dramatic terrain and untouched desert scenery, the location has become an essential visual ingredient in building the world of Arrakis.

Although the teaser was released online on March 17, it first premiered a day earlier during a special event in Los Angeles on March 16. 

During the presentation, Villeneuve unveiled the footage in front of a packed audience that included several members of the film’s cast.

Among those present were Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Anya Taylor‑Joy, and Javier Bardem, who joined the director to celebrate the first public look at the highly anticipated sequel.

A video shared on the film’s official social media channels captured the electric atmosphere inside the theater, showing the stars applauding and cheering as the teaser played. 

The clip also featured reactions from Florence Pugh and Jason Momoa, who were not present at the screening but appeared visibly impressed after watching the trailer.

The upcoming film reunites many of the franchise’s biggest stars, led by Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides. 

The cast also includes Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Robert Pattinson, and Javier Bardem.

This impressive lineup raises expectations that the third installment will deliver the most emotionally complex and dramatic chapter of the trilogy so far.

The film draws inspiration from Dune Messiah, Herbert’s follow-up novel to “Dune,” which explores the political and psychological consequences of Paul Atreides’ rise to power. 

The narrative is expected to dive deeper into the complexities of leadership, prophecy, and the fragile balance of power in the universe Villeneuve has carefully built across the previous films.

Villeneuve co-wrote the screenplay alongside Brian K. Vaughan, bringing together cinematic spectacle with layered storytelling rooted in Herbert’s iconic science-fiction universe.

The production also highlights the strategic role Abu Dhabi continues to play in major international filmmaking. 

The project received support from the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, Creative Media Authority Abu Dhabi, and Image Nation Abu Dhabi.

Through its production incentive program, including the emirate’s cashback rebate system, Abu Dhabi has successfully attracted more than 180 international productions to film in the region. 

The return of the Dune franchise further cements its reputation as one of the world’s most visually striking, and film-friendly, destinations for large-scale cinematic projects.