Playing the ferocious Emperor Shaddam IV in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two, Christopher Walken simply stole the show with his brief appearances. According to reports, being a huge fan of the first installment, Walken took on the role of the emperor in the sequel. However, this isn’t the first time the actor has tried for a big-budget sci-fi film.
Previously, Christopher Walken noted how he was up for the Han Solo part in the first Star Wars film. While addressing how he read for the part, Walken also shared a major revelation about how two times Oscar winner Jodie Foster was reading for the role of Princess Leia. The actor’s comments confirmed that Carrie Fisher wasn’t the first choice for Star Wars.
Before Dune 2, Christopher Walken Tried Star Wars
Christopher Walken undoubtedly stole the show with his appearance in Denis Villeneuve’s magnum opus Dune: Part Two. Playing the role of the cunning Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV, alongside Florence Pugh, the actor delivered some intimidating scenes in the film. But given his tenure in the entertainment industry and his experience, the Dune sequel wasn’t his first sci-fi trial.
According to Deadline reports, the actor had previously tried for the role of Han Solo in Star Wars. During the mid-1970s, Christopher Walken read for the first Star Wars, for the role that later went to Harrison Ford. Although Walken lost the role, it surely turned out to be a breakthrough for Ford, as Star Wars successfully put the actor on the map.
While Christopher Walken losing out on the role of Han Solo seems quite shocking, given his performance in Dune: Part Two, there’s an even more surprising revelation waiting for fans. According to his interview with Vanity Fair, where Walken recalled his audition for the role of Han Solo, the actor confirmed who was initially running for the role of Princess Leia.
Jodie Foster Was Initially Running for Princess Leia
Although Star Wars fans are habituated to seeing Harrison Ford as Han Solo and Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia, according to Christopher Walken’s interview, they weren’t the initial choices. As per his recent Vanity Fair interview, the actor revealed that when he was reading for the part of Han Solo, there was two-time Oscar winner Jodie Foster reading for the role of Princess Leia.
“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 (who was reading for Princess Leia).”
Sharing the information with the public, Christopher Walken proceeded to mention how several actors were auditioning for the space odyssey during the 70s. However, despite trying to phase it out, readers seemed more hooked to his information about Oscar winner Jodie Foster reading for the role of Princess Leia.
“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.”
Even Jodie Foster had previously revealed how she was offered the iconic role when she was younger but she turned down the opportunity to star in a Disney movie. “They were going for a younger Princess Leia but I had a conflict. I was doing a Disney movie and I just didn’t want to pull out of the Disney movie.” Foster shared via Today. In the end, Foster and Walken’s revelation came as a massive blow to Star Wars fans.
Cinebuffs can’t help but wonder how Jodie Foster would do in the particular role. Given her powerful screen dominance, people believe the actress would have certainly embodied the character of Princess Leia with utmost perfection.
Star Wars movies are available on Disney+.
