Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures have released the official trailer for “Dune: Part Three”, the final chapter of Denis Villeneuve’s trilogy, ahead of its December 16 release.
Once again, Abu Dhabi’s Liwa Desert serves as the backdrop for the fictional world of Arrakis in the blockbuster Hollywood sci-fi series.
The Abu Dhabi Film Commission (ADFC) has revealed behind-the-scenes images highlighting its seven-year partnership with Legendary Entertainment, with the support of the Creative Media Authority Abu Dhabi (CMA), the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, Image Nation Studios and local production partner Epic Films.
The production filmed in Abu Dhabi for 31 days, including two days in Al Ain. More than 600 UAE-based individuals contributed to the project, including 206 local crew members, 12 stunt performers, 336 local contractors, 38 on-screen extras and six production interns.
The production benefitted from Abu Dhabi’s cashback rebate programme.
The collaboration strengthened the emirate’s position as a destination for large-scale international filmmaking.
Speaking to Aletihad, Sameer Al Jaberi, Head of Abu Dhabi Film Commission, described the film as another milestone in Abu Dhabi’s partnership with Legendary Entertainment.
“We are proud to celebrate the release of the Dune: Part Three trailer and our continued partnership with Legendary Entertainment. This is Abu Dhabi’s longest-standing partnership with a Hollywood studio, spanning seven years,” he said, adding that the franchise’s return for a third time reflects the confidence the international film industry has in the emirate.
Al Jaberi said Abu Dhabi has evolved into far more than a filming location. “It combines world-class infrastructure, strong government support, attractive incentives such as the cashback rebate, experienced local crews and a comprehensive production ecosystem.”
He noted that the scale of production has grown with every film, from five days on the first Dune, to 27 days on Dune: Part Two, and 31 days across Liwa and Al Ain for Dune: Part Three, demonstrating the production team’s growing confidence in Abu Dhabi.
Al Jaberi added that every international production helps build the local creative economy by building local expertise, increasing production capabilities and reinforcing confidence in the emirate as a filming destination, with the goal of creating a sustainable ecosystem that attracts international, regional and local productions.
He said the Liwa Desert played an integral part in bringing Arrakis to life, its landscape “one of the defining visual elements of the trilogy”.
Talent development, he added, remained a key priority.
“Dune: Part Three included Emirati participation, including a local stunt performer, while interns were given the opportunity to work alongside internationally recognised filmmakers,” he said.
Gehad Darwish, Talent Management Section Head at the Creative Media Authority, told Aletihad that developing Emirati talent is central to Abu Dhabi’s film industry strategy.
“Our role is to bring young talent into major international productions as interns,” he said. “While we were unable to do this during the first Dune because of COVID-19, we successfully placed interns on both Dune: Part Two and Dune: Part Three. It has been a very successful journey for the participants.”
Through the partnership with Legendary Entertainment, two Emirati interns were sent to Budapest, Hungary, where they joined the international production team.
The interns worked across camera, production management, set design, props and art, giving them what Darwish described as “a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience”.
He said nurturing Emirati talent is a key part of Abu Dhabi’s vision to become a global hub for international film production, with the goal of building the next generation of filmmakers in the UAE.
Overall, six interns participated across Abu Dhabi and Budapest, gaining hands-on experience as part of the production crew.
For Mohammed F Mostafa, Emirati actor and stunt performer in Dune: Part Three, joining the production marked a career milestone.
“I am very proud to be here today as a credited stunt performer in Dune: Part Three. It is an honour to represent the UAE on a project of this scale,” he told Aletihad.
Mostafa said the production helped him grow not only as an actor and stunt performer, but also as a person. While he could not reveal details about the film, he promised “some incredible stunt work” and “amazing action sequences”.
Looking ahead to the 16 December release, Mostafa said he hopes the film will inspire more Emiratis to pursue international careers “without leaving the UAE”.
