Christopher Walken is one of the new additions in the Dune sequel, playing the role of Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV. According to the books, the character was supposed to appear in the first film as well, as he was responsible for the events in that film. However, delaying the character’s appearance made Walken’s perfect casting possible. Walken revealed that not every one of his auditions was successful, as there was a major sci-fi role he missed out on.
Walken was among the 500+ actors who auditioned for George Lucas’ Star Wars as Han Solo. The role eventually went to Harrison Ford and helped him launch his illustrious career in Hollywood. Despite not getting the role, Walken made a name as a character actor in the industry.
Dune 2 Star Christopher Walken Lost Star Wars Role To Harrison Ford In Auditions
Christopher Walken ended his four-year hiatus in Hollywood by returning to a powerful role in Dune: Part Two. During an interview with Vanity Fair, Walken opened up about his experience filming for Dune 2. Walken was excited for the role as he had watched Dune and Denis Villeneuve‘s sci-fi film Arrival. While mentioning his work on the current sci-fi film, he recalled losing the role in another epic sci-fi film.
The Pulp Fiction actor revealed that he auditioned for Star Wars: A New Hope in the late ’70s. He shared that he auditioned for the role of Han Solo, which later went to Harrison Ford. He also recalled that his partner in the audition was Jodie Foster. Walken was not sure whether they did a scene or if it was just a screen test for cameras. However, he added that 500 other people were auditioning for the same part. Walken shared 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.”
Interestingly, the Batman Returns actor was not the only famous actor to have auditioned for Han Solo. Nick Nolte and Burt Reynolds were also considered for the role before newcomer Ford grabbed the role. Walken got a major breakthrough not long after, as he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Michael Cimino’s 1978 film The Deer Hunter. The film also happened to be Meryl Streep‘s first Oscar nomination.
Jodie Foster Turned Down Princess Leia Due To A Disney Contract
Before she won the Oscar for Best Actress for The Silence of the Lambs, a 13 or 14-year-old Jodie Foster auditioned for the role of Princess Leia, a role that immortalized Carrie Fisher. When Foster appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the host asked her whether the role was offered to her. Foster confirmed the news and shared that she had to turn down the role due to a conflict with a Disney movie contract. Foster shared with Jimmy Fallon:
“I was, yeah. 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 because I was already under contract.”
While she did not reveal the Disney movie, many speculated that it was Freaky Friday (1976). The film became a critical and commercial hit and even launched a franchise, but Star Wars could have changed Jodie Foster’s career trajectory at the time. Foster is currently nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in NYAD.
Christopher Walken’s Dune: Part Two is now running successfully in theaters. The Star Wars original trilogy is now available for streaming on Disney+.
