Christopher Walken to Star in Forthcoming 'Dune: Part Two' as Emperor Shaddam IV

Photo: Laurent Viteur/Getty Images

Christopher Walkenis stepping into theDunefranchise.

The actor, 79, has been cast inDune: Part Twoin the role of Emperor Shaddam IV, PEOPLE confirms.

Walken will joinTimothée ChalametandZendayain directorDenis Villeneuve’s upcoming epic, which is based on Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel.Rebecca FergusonandJavier Bardemare also among others returning for the sequel.

Florence PughandAustin Butlerare newcomers joining the series alongside Walken. Pugh, 26, will star as the Emperor’s daughter, Princess Irulan, while Butler, 30, is set to portray Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, the presumptive heir to the Harkonnen dynasty.

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Mike Pont/Getty Images; Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage; Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images

The firstDunefilm in the new franchise premiered in theaters and on HBO Max on Oct. 22 andgrossed $40.1 millionin its opening weekend.

Days later, LegendaryconfirmedDune: Part Twois officially in the works. “This is only the beginning…” the company posted onTwitter, along with an orange image reading “Dune: Part Two.”

“Thank you to those who have experienced @dunemovie so far, and those who are going in the days and weeks ahead,” Legendary added. “We’re excited to continue the journey!”

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He also thanked everyone for seeingDuneand his other release at the time,The French Dispatch, writing on his Instagram Story, “THANK YOU to EVERYONE who saw these movies in theaters this past weekend !!!”

“The movies exist because of the cast and crew but actually going to see them in theaters got it over the finish line !! So THANK YOU !!!!!” Chalamet added.

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While few details have been revealed about the upcomingDunesequel, Villeneuve, 54, toldThe Los Angeles Timeshe hopes to give certain characters more time to shine inDune: Part Two.

“There are some characters that are less developed that I’m keeping for the second film — that’s the way I found the equilibrium. We tried in this movie to stay as close as possible to Paul’s experience,” the director said. “Then, in the second one, I will have time to develop some characters that were left aside a little bit. That’s the theory. I hope it will work.”

Production on the film,Deadlinereported, is expected to start in the fall. The film will then premiere next October. Villeneuve will also return as a screenwriter for the sequel, as well as a producer.

Dune: Part Twois set to premiere in theaters on Oct. 20, 2023.

source: people.com