‘Dune: Part 2’ Casting – Christopher Walken Tapped to Play The Padishah Emperor
Dune: Part 2 casting for major roles continues. Christopher Walken is… an interesting choice for Shaddam Corrino IV.
Deadline is reporting that the actor is in consideration to play the Emperor of the Known Universe.
… sources tell Deadline Christopher Walken is set to play the Emperor in Warner Bros. and Legendary’s Dune: Part Two. Walken joins the all-star ensemble that includes Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, and Josh Brolin, who are expected to reprise their roles… Villeneuve is back to write, direct and produce.
I’m not sure how to feel about Walken in this particular role. I like him. He’s a highly talented actor that has taken on a wide variety of roles, but is he right for this? Maybe. He’s definitely not the first name that comes to mind (that would be Charles Dance).
They can lean in to Shaddam IV being a paranoid, calculating, and arrogant ruler in decline. Walken can be that and he can make it unsettling. They can also lean into this ability – he’s not just an SNL punchline. So… maybe. Do I think he’s able to scare Stellan Skarsgård’s Vladimir Harkonnen? That’s a tough one.
Dune: Part 2 Casting So Far
I’d like to note that neither of the studios involved have fully confirmed any of the Dune: Part 2 casting choices announced. The news is based on industry insiders and reliable news sites. Reports have mentioned Florence Pugh might be playing Princess Irrulan, and Austin Butler is in the running for Feyd-Rautha. They both jive with the current cast and universe Denis Villeneuve has created.
Dune: Part 2 is under crunch. It has a October 20, 2023 release date. Production on the next chapter starts this fall. The script, which isn’t complete as far as we know, is being co-written by Jon Spaihts and Villeneuve.
What are your thoughts on this latest casting news?
