At the start of this year, Dune 2 practically breathed new life into the box office with the biggest opening in months. Now, fans of the franchise have something else to look forward to- a third installment based on Frank Herbert's legendary sci-fi series. One of the reasons Dune stood out as such a cinematic masterpiece was its unforgettable visual experience. Much of that credit goes to cinematographer Greig Fraser, who created scenes that were as emotionally rich as they were visually spectacular. However, for the third movie, they are going for a slight aesthetic change. Cinematographer Greig Fraser is no longer steering the visual ship of this box-office juggernaut.

Instead, another Oscar-winning cinematographer has joined the fold for Dune: Messiah.

According to Jeff Sneider, Linus Sandgren is expected to take on the role of cinematographer for Dune: Messiah. Sandgren is no stranger to creating breathtaking visuals- he even won an Oscar for his work on La La Land. Over the years, Dune has become synonymous with its bold and brutalist aesthetic, seamlessly blending desert military structures with grand, otherworldly landscapes- a style Greig Fraser has captured on an epic scale. Therefore, while fans can rest assured that the film is in good hands, many will still miss Fraser’s unique touch.

Fraser’s departure might have to do with scheduling conflicts. It is likely he will be busy with The Batman: Part II, which is set to begin production around the same time as Dune: Messiah. While the Zendaya starrer is scheduled to start filming in early 2026, director Matt Reeves’ Batman sequel is reportedly gearing up for a late 2025 shoot. Even Matt Reeves himself has hinted at the same.

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Earlier this year, Reeves suggested that the cinematographer might be tied up with the highly anticipated Batman sequel.

Director Matt Reeves spilled some Gotham secrets to Collider in September, including updates on The Batman II. Naturally, one of the big questions was whether Greig Fraser would return as the film’s cinematographer. Reeves admitted he is not entirely sure yet but is keeping his fingers crossed that their schedules align. He did not hold back on his feelings, though, calling Fraser “the best” to work with.

Reeves also talked about Fraser’s heavy involvement in The Penguin series, where he made sure the show’s visuals stayed true to the look and feel of The Batman. Reeves even pointed out how they have managed to create a style that ties Oz’s world to Batman’s while still giving each its own vibe. And from the way things are going, it looks like Reeves’s wish for Fraser’s return might just be coming true.

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What do you think about this new Dune: Messiah update? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!