There's a lot of anticipation right now for Dune: Part Two after the huge success of the first film at the box office, critical reception, and its awards performance with the six Academy Awards that it won last March. Given that the sequel is going to cover the second half of the novel, we are expecting new characters that they haven't introduced yet in the first film. Now, it looks like they have found an actor who will play a very pivotal role in the Dune universe.
According to Deadline, Oscar-winning actor Christopher Walken has been cast to play Emperor Shaddam IV in Dune: Part Two. He is joining fellow new cast members such as Florence Pugh (who is cast to play his daughter Princess Irulan) and Austin Butler (who is cast to play Feyd-Rautha).
Returning cast members include Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Stellan Skarsgard, and Dave Bautista. Denis Villeneuve will also return to direct, produce, and co-write with Jon Spaihts as well as composer Hans Zimmer. Production is set to commence this fall.
Walken is known for starring in several films such as The Deer Hunter (where he won an Oscar), Heaven's Gate, A View to a Kill, Batman Returns, True Romance, Pulp Fiction, Sleepy Hollow, Catch Me If You Can, Click, Hairspray, and The Jungle Book. He recently starred in the hit Apple TV+ series Severance.
It's very interesting that they cast Walken in the role which gives us an idea of what their take on the Emperor will look like. He is certainly a talented and terrific actor who has become iconic in the past few decades for his various roles. It might not be the ideal choice for some, but you can still agree that he is an exciting addition to the cast and we can't wait to see his version of the character.
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Dune: Part Two is scheduled to be released in theaters on October 20, 2023.