The first Dune movie already felt like it was cast by a film nerd who was able to get any actor they wanted regardless of scheduling. Hollywood golden boy Timothée Chalamet is lead character Paul Atreides. Oscar Isaac plays his father Duke Leto and Zendaya his love interest Chani. Jason Momoa is on hand as House Atreides swordsman Duncan Idaho. I cannot remember another Hollywood blockbuster cast with so many big-name actors who actually fit their roles well.
And the joy continues in Dune: Part II, which is coming out next year. Florence Pugh, another of the biggest young stars working today, will play the Princess Irulan, daughter of Shaddam Corrino IV, the emperor of the universe.
And who will play Emperor Shaddam, you ask? None other than Hollywood legend Christopher Walken, according to Deadline.
Christopher Walken is Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV in Dune: Part II
Walken is one of those actors who’s so frequently parodied you can forget how good he is. Yes, he’s the guy from that one Saturday Live Sketch who needs more cowbell, but he’s also a terrific character actor who improves pretty much every movie he’s in, from serious dramas like The Deer Hunter to horror films like The Dead Zone to superhero fare like Batman Returns. And then in his spare time he plays the lead roles in renowned productions of Shakespeare plays, no biggee.
And playing Emperor Shaddam is a big task, and could be one of the brightest jewels in the 79-year-old actor’s crown. The character has appeared onscreen a couple of times before, played by José Ferrer in David Lynch’s 1984 adaptation of Dune and by Giancarlo Giannini in the 2000 miniseries.
Dune: Part II will be out in theaters on October 20, 2023. I was already going to see it, but now I’m really going to see it. Like, maybe I’ll see it twice.
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