Warner Bros.
“ Dune ” was released in cinemas in September 2021 and was so well received by audiences and the specialist press that the studios behind the science fiction masterpiece quickly got down to business: “ Dune 2 ” was announced for October 2023 Accordingly, the casting is now going fast, after all, director Denis Villeneuve wants to start the cameras as early as autumn 2022.
After Austin Butler (as the new villain Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen) and Marvel star Florence Pugh (as Princess Irulan) were signed for «Dune 2», a third major newcomer has now been confirmed: Christopher Walken will play Emperor Shaddam IV. the ruler of the known universe and father of Princess Irulan.
Takashi Seida / 2015 — Europacorp Christopher Walken
The major US industry magazines report this unanimously. Christopher Walken can look back on a long and eventful career and has appeared in numerous well-known films. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in «The Way Through Hell» and was nominated again for «Catch Me If You Can.»
The role of Emperor Shaddam IV in «Dune» & «Dune 2»
The Emperor does not appear in «Dune», but his work can still be felt: it is he who grants the House Atreides rule over the planet Arrakis and Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac) and Co. are thus on a direct confrontational course with the rival House of Harkonnen.
And that this is no coincidence, but just as planned, can also be seen from the fact that the Emperor’s personal soldiers are heavily involved in trapping and wiping out the Atreides. This refers to the Sardaukar, who can be seen in “Dune” during a bloody ritual on their home planet and against whom Duncan Idaho, played by Jason Momoa, fights.
2020 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. / Chiabella James Duncan Idaho (Jason Momoa, center) fights the Imperial Sardaukar.
Warning, possible spoilers for «Dune 2» follow!
The Dune book template ends with Paul Atreides (Timothy Chalamet) defeating the Harkonnen and the Emperor, forcing Shadam IV to abdicate, and marrying Princess Irulan. It’s likely to be something similar in «Dune 2», but we’re guessing that the Emperor and his daughter will appear beforehand and their roles will be expanded somewhat compared to the book.
We will find out more in a year and a half at the latest: «Dune 2» will start in German cinemas on October 19, 2023.
Dune 2: All important information about the planned continuation of Dune (FILMSTARTS-Original)
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Who#Is#Emperor#Shaddam#IV?#Christopher#Walken’s#Dune#Role,
Dune#2:#Casting
