Dune: Part 3 heads to Abu Dhabi’s Liwa Desert for filming
Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya return for epic sci-fi shoot in UAE
DUBAI – Abu Dhabi’s golden sands are preparing to welcome Hollywood once again.
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part 3 will begin filming later this year in the Liwa desert, transforming the vast dunes into the fictional planet Arrakis. The latest chapter of the Oscar-winning saga will see stars including Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya return to the UAE capital, joined by new cast members such as Robert Pattinson.
The Abu Dhabi Film Commission confirmed that production will receive logistical support from both the Creative Media Authority and Image Nation Abu Dhabi.
The emirate’s film rebate scheme will also be in play, an incentive that has helped draw major franchises such as Mission: Impossible, Star Wars, and Fast & Furious to the region.
Villeneuve has spoken of his deep connection with the desert, describing the Liwa dunes as “absolutely mesmerising” and essential to the authenticity of his vision. His previous shoots in Abu Dhabi included five days for the first Dune film in 2021 and nearly a month for Dune: Part 2, which released in 2024 to global acclaim.
What makes Liwa unique?
The sweeping horizons, otherworldly formations, and cinematic light conditions of the Liwa desert make it a natural stand-in for Frank Herbert’s Arrakis. For Part 2, the crew even built a desert “village” with the help of local teams, highlighting the collaborative role Abu Dhabi played in shaping the film’s identity.
Over the past decade, Abu Dhabi has hosted more than 180 film and TV productions. Beyond breathtaking locations, the emirate offers a 30% rebate, cutting-edge facilities, and skilled professionals. The Creative Media Authority is also opening doors for young talent: UAE-based interns are set to join the Dune: Part 3 crew, continuing a programme that previously placed 15 interns on F1 The Movie and five on Dune: Part 2.
When will filming begin?
While exact dates and duration remain under wraps, filming is confirmed to start later this year. The possibility of Abu Dhabi hosting the film’s world premiere has not been ruled out, echoing the glamorous red-carpet moments seen at the emirate’s F1 celebrations. For now, one thing is certain: when the spice flows again on screen, it will be Liwa’s desert winds carrying it.