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Like in Star Wars, Dune has an interplanetary emperor, and as with most similarities between the two universes, it’s probably not a coincidence, given the all-too-obvious influence of Frank Herbert’s novels on George Lucas. But in Denis Vileneuve Dune 2, instead of Ian McDiarmid’s lightning-slinging, “unlimited power”-screaming Palpatine, we get a fantastically understated Christopher Walken as the colorless ruler of the known universe, looking dispirited by years of rule, with a vibe not unlike Mitch’s McConnell at his recent farewell press conference. Walken jumped on the phone with Rolling Stone to talk about their interstellar adventure and more.
You chose a surprisingly low-key, atypical approach to playing the emperor of the galaxy in a sci-fi show. How did that develop?
When I was young, I had to play a king in something and an older actor told me, “You know, don’t worry about it. Let the director tell everyone that treat You like a king and then you don’t have to do much.” So I began to count on that, the decorations of the king and his courts. If people say You are the king, you are the king. I also remember that years ago I was in Japan on a press tour. And the Emperor was on television giving a speech. And I remember that he was very well dressed, and although he was speaking before a huge crowd, he spoke so softly that you had to pay close attention. And I thought, well, if you’re the Emperor, you don’t have to speak too loud. So I guess I thought about things like that.
I heard you were impressed and maybe a little concerned by the fight scene you witnessed between Austin Butler and Timothee Chalamet.
It was very intense! And they really rehearsed it and got into it. They had knives and it was very choreographed and very skillful, but it was a little scary to watch. Particularly because they would do it and then say, ‘Okay, do it again.’ And they did it quite a bit. They did it wonderfully.
Obviously, Dune has been around as a book since the 1960s. And David Lynch’s film was released in the eighties. Were you a fan?
I saw that movie and enjoyed it quite a bit. And at that time, I think I bought a paperback, you know, and of course, it was a very, very different take on the subject.
The first book is notoriously dense: when I first read it as a teenager, I put it down after about 10 pages.
It’s a big book.
Did you actually finish it?
I don’t think I did. (Laughs) I prefer to see the movie.
Not that there should be, but are you thinking about retirement? Do you want to go on and on?
Someone told me that actors don’t retire. They get retired. So I guess one day the phone will stop ringing and that will be it.
Are you currently filming the next season of Breaking off? You and John Turturro were great together in the first season.
No no. I think I’m done Breaking off. I was scheduled to do a certain number of episodes with John Turturro. And I think we finished them last spring. The actors’ strike interfered and we had to cut certain things short. But as far as I know, I’m done with all my stuff.
Should we expect that? Will it live up to the first season?
I don’t know. You know, I haven’t seen it.
You played Emperor of the Universe and you just turned 81 years old. Does that make you feel differently about people who say Biden is too old to be president at that age?
Yeah, you know, I hear them talking about that. And I think well, I’m the same age as that guy. I think Biden is fantastic and I hope he can move forward. I think he’s fine.
It would be a shame if you weren’t the host. Saturday night live at least one more time. Is it something you would still like to do again?
Last Halloween I made a cameo of sorts. But I don’t know if hosting the show is the card. It’s a matter of them asking me.
So if they asked you, you will be there.
I think so. Yeah.
There is a wonderful song called “Hackensack” by the band Fountains of Wayne that mentions you. Are you familiar with this?
No.
So the idea is that the narrator knows that his old schoolmate is famous because he sees her on television with you. The line is, (sings) “I saw you talking to Christopher Walken on my TV screen.”
Where can I find that?
You could I’m sure you can find it on YouTube. Is there anything specific that’s still on your career wish list? Is there anything you haven’t done that you would like to do?
I play a lot of strange people. I would like to play. You know, a solid citizen, a very normal guy. A normal guy, maybe a doctor.
There are many of your deliveries that stick in my head. When you did the scan with “the ice is going to break” on The death zoneDid it feel special?
I think it was just part of the scene and things like that are always a surprise. You do something and it shows. But at the time no, I certainly never thought that. It happens from time to time. It’s almost like an accident.
But it should fill you with a certain pride to know that you have many moments like that that you will live with forever.
Thank you. There are a couple, you know. I understand the clock scene pulp fiction a lot.
Oh yeah. There are so many. I am a supporter of the monologue “There are two mice” in Catch Me If You Can.
That’s right, the two mice!