Dune: Part Three to Be Filmed in Abu Dhabi’s Liwa Desert
When filmmakers need to imagine another world — one that feels ancient, vast, and cinematic enough to carry an epic — they head for the desert. Increasingly, they head for Abu Dhabi.
Production on Dune: Part Three, the next chapter in Denis Villeneuve’s ambitious adaptation of Frank Herbert’s science fiction saga, will return to the towering dunes of the Liwa desert later this year. With its endless golden horizons and sculptural landscapes, the region once again stands in for the planet of Arrakis.
The film continues the sweeping story of Paul Atreides and the empire he inherits — one shaped by prophecy, power, and survival in a hostile land. Following two acclaimed instalments, this next chapter is set to deepen the mythology of Herbert’s world, while leaning into the visual scale that has defined Villeneuve’s vision.
Abu Dhabi’s role in the production goes far beyond location. The emirate’s film infrastructure and creative industry support — led by the Creative Media Authority and Abu Dhabi Film Commission — have played a key part in attracting major global projects. Image Nation Abu Dhabi returns as a production partner, alongside Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures.
The production also benefits from the Abu Dhabi Film Commission’s cashback rebate, part of a long-term effort to position the region as a leading destination for world-class film and television. Over 180 major productions have shot in the emirate, including Mission: Impossible, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Fast & Furious 7, and 6 Underground.
For Villeneuve and the Dune team, the Liwa desert offers both scale and story. For Abu Dhabi, it marks another milestone in its growing reputation as a serious home for global storytelling — not just a location, but a creative partner.
Elena Leo is the Culture & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
