Christopher Walken has joined the ensemble cast of Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two. The Academy Award-winning actor has been cast in the key antagonistic role of Emperor Shaddam IV.
Villeneuve initially agreed to direct a new feature film adaptation of Dune on the condition that he was allowed to split the story into two chapters. However, it wasn't until the first film proved to be a box office success that Warner Bros. officially greenlit Dune: Part Two, much to the relief of fans who admired Villeneuve's treatment of Frank Herbert's classic novel and were eager to see him continue the story.
As noted by The Hollywood Reporter, Walken's Emperor Shaddam IV will continue to terrorize the citizens who live under his rule as he attempts to quell a rebellion brought upon by the Freman of Arrakis and Paul Atreides. The Emperor played a key role in Villeneuve's first Dune film, serving as the mastermind behind the conflict for control of Arrakis between House Atreides and House Harkonnen. However, the Emperor was merely mentioned in the first installment and never truly seen. Walken joins fellow Dune newcomer Florence Pugh, who will take on the role of Princess Irulan, the eldest daughter of the Emperor.
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Austin Butler has also joined the cast of Dune: Part Two, taking on the role of the cruel and treacherous Feyd-Rautha. As the younger nephew of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, Feyd-Rautha factors heavily into House Harkonnen's fight for power and becomes one of the main enemies of Paul Atreides. Of course, the new cast members will be joined by returning actors Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, and Javier Bardem.
Dune: Part Two is scheduled to begin production on July 18, 2022, and Villeneuve has already promised that the sequel will deliver more sequences filmed using IMAX cameras. Villeneuve and the Dune team have certainly set a high bar for themselves to clear with the sequel, especially after the first film won six of the 10 Academy Award nominations it received.
There's also talk of a third Dune film potentially coming down the line, although nothing concrete has been confirmed by Villeneuve or Warner Bros. That said, a Dune series is coming to HBO Max, so fans can expect a lot from the franchise in the coming years.
Dune: Part Two is scheduled to release in theaters on October 20, 2023.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter