The much-awaited "Dune: Part Two" is finally hitting screens this week, more than a year after the first part came out.

Based on Frank Herbert’s celebrated novel of the same name, the second chapter will "explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family," says Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures about the new film.

"Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee," they add.

Unlike some other big-budget franchises, both films were not made at the same time, and Warner Bros. and Legendary took a wait-and-see approach to greenlighting a sequel.

USA TODAY's Brian Truitt gave the film three and a half stars out of four, saying that the "sci-fi epic gets it right the second time around."

"Even though it snagged six Oscars (and a best picture nomination), the previous “Dune” was a mixed bag with lackluster storytelling – even David Lynch’s crazypants 1984 adaptation was a more entertaining exercise," writes Truitt. "But 'Part Two' rights the cosmic battleship with plenty of staggering visuals, all the gigantic sandworms you’d ever want, plus a deeper thematic exploration of power, colonialism and religion."

Here's what you need to know about the second part of the much-awaited "Dune," including when it hits theatres and how to watch it.

'Dune: Part Two' release date

"Dune: Part Two" will be hitting cinemas on Friday, March 1.

"Dune: Part One" is currently available to stream on HBO Max.

'Dune: Part Two' cast

The star cast of "Dune: Part Two" includes:

• Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides
• Zendaya as Chani
• Rebecca Ferguson as Jessica
• Javier Bardem as Stilgar
• Stellan Skarsgård as Baron Vladimir Harkonnen
• Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan
• Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen
• Josh Brolin as Gurney Hallack
• Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot Fenring
• Dave Bautista as Beast Rabban
• Anya Taylor-Joy

'Dune: Part Two' trailer

Will there be a 'Dune: Part 3'?

While studios have not officially announced a part three, "Dune" director Denis Villeneuve told The Hollywood Reporter that he is currently in process of writing the third part.

“I agreed to make Part One and Part Two back to back and now I think I will need to digest this experience and I want to come back with a strong screenplay,” Villeneuve told the outlet on Sunday. “It’s almost done but it needs work, a bit, now.”

The director has expressed his desire to complete a "Dune" trilogy on multiple occasions and discussed adapting Herbert’s 1969 sequel, "Dune: Messiah" into a third part.

Truitt, in this review, said that when "Dune: Part Two" is finished, "you’re not only ready for a third one but likely digging into the Herbert books with one hand while your other’s in a sandworm popcorn bucket."

Contributing: KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.