Abu Dhabi Film Commission Ends Seven-Year Partnership with Dune Trilogy Studios

The Abu Dhabi Film Commission and Creative Media Authority Abu Dhabi have released behind-the-scenes images from the Liwa Desert production of Dune: Part Three, marking the end of a seven-year institutional partnership between the emirate’s film authorities and the studios behind Denis Villeneuve’s Academy Award-winning trilogy.

Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures unveiled the official trailer on July 8, 2026, positioning the film as the conclusive chapter of Villeneuve’s saga. The production involved a 31-day shoot in Abu Dhabi, with two additional days in Al Ain, drawing on local infrastructure and workforce support coordinated through the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, Image Nation Abu Dhabi, and Epic Films as the local production services provider.

The scale of local engagement reflects Abu Dhabi’s standing as a production hub. The shoot employed 206 skilled local crew members, including 12 stunt performers, alongside 336 local contractors and drivers. An additional 38 individuals appeared in on-camera crowd scenes, while six interns supported off-camera production roles. Total involvement exceeded 600 UAE-based individuals. The production also accessed Abu Dhabi’s cashback rebate program, a financial incentive designed to attract major international productions to the region.

Sameer Al Jaberi, Head of Abu Dhabi Film Commission, characterized the production as a pivotal moment for the emirate’s creative ecosystem. “The impact of Dune: Part Three is enormous,” he stated, citing the collaborative effort that united personnel across production roles.

The completion of filming represents the culmination of a relationship that began with Dune in 2021 and continued through Dune: Part Two in 2024, both of which used the Liwa Desert as the primary stand-in for the fictional planet Arrakis.

Herb Gains, Executive Vice President of Physical Production at Legendary Entertainment, attributed the studio’s continued commitment to Abu Dhabi to the location’s visual qualities and institutional support. “I can’t think of any place else in the world that provides such stunning imagery, as well as the support we’ve received from the Abu Dhabi Film Commission and our partners there across all three films,” he said, highlighting the operational ease provided by local resources throughout the production.

Sam Kozhaya, Executive Vice President of Operations and Corporate Development at Legendary Entertainment, framed the trilogy as evidence of a sustained institutional relationship. “The enduring relationship between Legendary Entertainment and the Abu Dhabi Film Commission spans more than a decade and reflects a shared commitment to supporting world-class productions,” he noted, positioning Abu Dhabi as a trusted partner for productions requiring global-scale execution.

Mohamed F Mostafa, a stunt performer on the production, described the experience in personal and professional terms. “Working with some of the world’s leading film creatives and being able to bring the authenticity of how a nation works harmoniously within a desert environment gave me great pride as an Emirati,” he said, pointing to the visibility that local landscapes and talent will receive through the film’s worldwide distribution.

The narrative of Dune: Part Three unfolds nearly two decades after its predecessor, following Paul Atreides as he consolidates power as Emperor of the Imperium. The story centers on the consequences of his reign as former allies resurface, new threats emerge, and internal betrayal threatens his rule. Paul confronts visions of Imperial collapse, the reappearance of a long-lost love, and a conspiracy developing around the character Chani.

Directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Villeneuve and Brian K. Vaughan, the film is based on Frank Herbert’s novels. The cast includes Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Isaach De Bankolé, Charlotte Rampling, Anya Taylor-Joy, Robert Pattinson, and Javier Bardem, alongside newcomers Nakoa-Wolf Momoa and Ida Brooke.

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures will distribute the film worldwide, with Legendary East handling distribution in China. Whether Abu Dhabi’s cashback rebate program and institutional infrastructure will continue drawing productions of this scale remains the open question for the emirate’s film authorities as the trilogy’s December 2026 release approaches, with international dates beginning December 16 and North American and IMAX openings on December 18.