Dune: Part Two marks Christopher Walken’s comeback to acting after a four-year break from the big screen. He last appeared in three films in 2020 (The War with Grandpa, Percy, and Wild Mountain Thyme), then took a break from movies (though he did make an appearance in the 2022 television series Severance).
Now, Walken takes on the role of Shaddam IV, also known as the Padishah Emperor of the Known Universe, in the Denis Villeneuve-directed sequel. He was drawn back from semi-retirement mainly because of the opportunity to visit a European city he likes.
Christopher Walken’s Big Screen Comeback Motivated by the Chance to Visit a European City
Christopher Walken recently ended his four-year acting break, and decided to return for Dune 2. Despite his hiatus, he found this project appealing for a few reasons. The 80-year-old shared in an interview with Vanity Fair:
“I had, of course, seen the first ‘Dune’ a number of times. I loved it, and I admired [Denis Villeneuve’s] movies. ‘Arrival’ was wonderful. And to be with all those terrific actors —Javier Bardem and Josh Brolin, Timothée Chalamet, Florence Pugh and Stellan Skarsgård—and to go to Budapest, which is a beautiful city. And of course, that’s what I do for a living. It was only, I think, three weeks. So, everything about it was attractive.”
The Dead Zone star liked Denis Villeneuve‘s directing, especially his chops in Arrival. He also looked forward to acting with great actors like Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Timothée Chalamet, Florence Pugh, and Stellan Skarsgård.
However, above all, the Astoria native was most enticed by the chance to go to Budapest, a city he liked. Being able to work on a big project there with great people convinced him to act again after four years. Even though he only worked for three weeks, he found the experience really appealing!
Dune 2 Fulfilled Christopher Walken’s Long-Lost Wish
Dune: Part Two gave Christopher Walken a chance to star in a big sci-fi movie. The movie mogul wanted a similar opportunity when he tried out for Han Solo in the first George Lucas‘ Star Wars but didn’t get it. The Oscar-winning actor revealed in the same interview with Vanity Fair:
“I think it was for Han Solo. Yes, I auditioned for it. And if I’m not mistaken, my partner in the audition was — I think this is true — it was Jodie Foster … I think we did a screen test. I’m not sure we did a scene. Maybe we just sat in front of, in those days, those old videotape cameras … I did audition for ‘Star Wars,’ but so did about 500 other actors. It was lots of people doing that.”
After portraying The Emperor in Dune: Part Two, Walken has already revealed to Rolling Stone the character he desires to play next. Known for diverse roles like a conman in Seven Psychopaths and an office worker in Severance, he now wants a “Normal Guy” in future projects. Hence, it looks like he won’t be retiring from acting anytime soon.
Dune: Part Two is currently screening in theatres.
