The Emperor's name - "Shaddam" - is one of Frank Herbert's more interesting etymological games in Dune (there are quite a few). "Shaddam" presumably derives from the Arabic "Saddam" which literally means, "the one who rebels" or alternatively, "the one who opposes". Applied to the Padishah emperor, this seems absurd at first glance: after all, the book concerns a rebellion against him. However, when viewed through the lens of Paul Atreides' prescience, the idea of rebellion becomes inverted - Paul not only can see, but actually IS the future, via the Jihad. By extension, the Emperor, who stands in his way, is by doing so ultimately rebelling against destiny itself. Since he was conceived and named before Paul was a twinkle in the Lady Jessica's eye, Herbert's notion of destiny presumably has a sense of humour.
Personally, I’m a bit bummed that Charles Dance wasn’t cast to play him. I’ve seen some fan art of him as Shaddam that looks sick. Though to be fair, his take probably would have been Tywin Lannister all over again.
I am a bit worried by this casting but saying that wasn't sure about Bill skarsgard but he knocked it out of the park. Most of the casting has been really well dine so I will trust chris walken as denis's choice.
I dont get why they keep casting old actors as the emperor. If i recall correctly, the emperor is described as a man looking like he's in his late 30's defying his actual age (i cant recall, 60's or 80's?). One of the many effects of spice is slowing down the effects of aging and extending the human lifespan dramatically based upon regular spice consumption.
I don't understand why the video keeps saying that Lynch's novel adaptation was quite faithful to the author, when it clearly wasn't. I'm really not a book purist and have no problems with the changes that Villeneuve made in his adaptation, but Lynch basically changed the whole meaning of the book by changing the ending. He turned Paul into an actual messiah instead of the product of decades of manipulation. The whole book series is about distrusting authority and here he goes concluding the film by saying he's a real God, now down down! Don't get me wrong, I like Lynch's Dune in its own right, but it's not at all faithful to the novel.
I get why they cast Christopher Walken in the film, but Shaddam is exactly Walken's age in the book too, yet the Spice would make him appear significantly younger.
They never actually say his age. Maybe this Shaddam is much older than his previous counterpart to the point that this IS what he looks like even after the life extensive powers of spice slowed his aging. Shaddam in the book was 72 but looked approximately 35 (so close to half his age). Seeing as Chris is 81this Shaddam is about 160-165. Makes the end of his reign even more significant.
The 2000 series had the advantage of being a series. I am amazed how much Lynch was able to do in ammount of time he had and baffled how little of that Dennis Vileneuve movie got across despite having more time. I've reread the book recently and much of worldbuilding for Arrakis happened before Duke's death. In the end I understand changes than for pacing though still lament lack of more subtle scenes that fleshed out characters much more (banquet, whole thing with Thufir Havat suspecting lady Jessica of being Harkonnen's agent).
Of course, the "advanced Atredes weapons" were not in the book... nor Paul's ability to create rain with a mere thought. Still, the Emperor played by fine actors in the original film and the mini-series. YP
You say at 14:20 that the 1984 Adaptation of the movie was "Faithfull" to the origina "Story" = Not True! It was "Mostly" "Faithfull" The original story DID Not have Weirding devices! That was a movie adaptation, and a cool one at that, but not in the book! " "Faithfull" The original story DID Not have Weirding devices! That was a movie adaptation, and a cool one at that, but not in the book! Weirding is only done by those taught in the Bene Gesserit practices. I am very much looking forward to part 2 and C.W. playing the Emperor Shaddam IV! This is going to be Cool!
One of those most powerful individuals in the Universe, except that the Guild and Bene Gesserit have him by the balls literally. His Bene Gesserit wife refuses to give him a son to continue his dynasty because the witches want an interregnum in which to establish their Kwizatz Haderach in charge. BTW, the books make it plain that Leto and Shaddam could have been brothers, one dark and one with light skin and red hair.
If I remember reading the books, the emperor was the most powerful single person. However, he was not all powerful by any means. He had to take a careful hand when dealing with the guild or with the Bene Gesserit
Dune plot holes: 1: If emperor is so powerful, why does he not control Dune (spice) exclusively? 2: There are hundreds of thousands or millions of Fremen living in an almost waterless desert. What do they eat? It's been about 30 years since I read the books, so these might have been addressed and I don't remember.
I really can't see how anyone can say that David Lynch's Dune is true to the book. 1. Paul is a white savior in the Lynch movie, even a true messiah as it rains upon his victory. In the Book he is a cautionary tale, not a hero. 2. Weirding modules instead of the weirding way. 3. Milking cats? Really? I could go on but... ugh
@@redred1952 I absolutely do. A surface reading if Dune, which David Lynch's movie is largely based on, has Paul Atredies as a "white savior." The European (House Atredies is modeled on a European noble house) goes to the desert and saves the people modeled on ?Middle Eastern culture. David Lynch goes even further than this and makes Paul a "true" Messiah, given him the power to explode bodies and break stone with just his voice and call down rain in the desert. So I guess a better question is, do you know a white savior is?
@@johnschmalbach8243 You got part of it right but it's not a story of white guilt. Paul didn't save the fremen because he felt superior and realizes he had to check his "privilege"
@@redred1952 you are missing my entire point. My point is that while Paul is not at all a "White Savior" in the book, if you read it correctly, or the latest movies, he absolutely was in the David Lynch movie. Heck in the end of the movie he becomes a literal Messiah, causing Fayd's body to explode, and the granite underneath to crack, with just his voice and then it begins to rain on Arakis to herald his assuming godhood. The problem is far too many readers, and apparently David Lynch, just do a surface reading and assume that Dune is about Paul being a demigod hero of sorts.
Thank you for making the great Christopher Walken look true to life in your thumbnail image! The woke "Denny Frenchname" made Christopher wear old age makeup that made Christopher look 80 years old.
I'm 80% excited, 20% scared. Or is it 20% excited and 80% scared about Christopher Walken playing the emperor. I can only ever recall him playing similar characters, using his delivery. I'm interested to see what happens.
I've been lucky to have seen Christopher Walken's more dramatic and serious roles, a few of them at least, such as King of New York which was quite good, Seve Psychopaths (Love this one too), or Last Man Standing (Not too serious a role, but still quite a good villain role.). He has the range despite the more mainstream stereotype view of him. I trust he will give his all, and I look forward to seeing it!
In some "Dune" book, I don't remember if it was Frank Herbert's, or Brian Herbert's, and Kevin J. Anderson's, but I distinctly remember Shaddam being referred to as a "Sardakar, through, and through". So far, no depiction of him, has indicated this. He's been portrayed as a powerless idiot, or a powerless wanna be tough guy, who didn't realize how powerless he actually was.
Obviously nobody in this channel has actually read the Dune books. Lynch's movie changes so many things from the book, most fan of the books finds that movie to be utter crap.
I have read them all. I disagreed immediately when he said the movies were faithful, or mostly faithful to the books. I thought...did he even READ the books? Even though I loved both movies and mini series, I was disappointed. When the new one came out, I had high hopes that they would finally get it right, but alas, I again was disappointed. I wish someone would do a series and start at the beginning with the events leading up to the Butlerian Jihad, including all the books, even Brian's and Kevin's, and finish with the end of the war with the machines. But it would be too much for anyone to want to tackle. I wasn't so upset with the film makers leaving things out, although I was let down when they neglected key elements, but when they ADDED things that weren't in the books, I SMH 😞 I love the Dune books. They're pure magic
If the emporer is such a baddass all powerful ruler of the known universe, why did they make him the biggest whimp in the dune 2 universe. Great actor. Pi55 poor script writing. He looked like he was waiting for someone to pre chew his food.
I refuse to watch the "new dune"...race/gender swapping, anda removal of the original text. I'd rather sit outside and read the original books with a cup of green tea. SAYING THAT The best part of Dune was when the Emperor was told to SHUT UP...and he did.
It funny, Shaddam as dumb as he is, look more menacing in the game Spice War than in the new Dune movie, that is a complete waste of time, they already wasted two hour and half of not doing any kind of world building, and now they would rush it all trough the window, without any kind of explanation or context, like I have saying for years since the Dune 2021, having Shaddam and Irulan now would make no sense whatsoever in context with the Artreides, because their backstories hadn't been establish in the previous movie.
Christopher Walken is the last person I expected but as soon as I heard the news last year I knew it was perfect.
The Emperor's name - "Shaddam" - is one of Frank Herbert's more interesting etymological games in Dune (there are quite a few). "Shaddam" presumably derives from the Arabic "Saddam" which literally means, "the one who rebels" or alternatively, "the one who opposes". Applied to the Padishah emperor, this seems absurd at first glance: after all, the book concerns a rebellion against him. However, when viewed through the lens of Paul Atreides' prescience, the idea of rebellion becomes inverted - Paul not only can see, but actually IS the future, via the Jihad. By extension, the Emperor, who stands in his way, is by doing so ultimately rebelling against destiny itself. Since he was conceived and named before Paul was a twinkle in the Lady Jessica's eye, Herbert's notion of destiny presumably has a sense of humour.
This is the type of insight I would expect Chris Nolan to extrapolate from the dune series.
Excellent breakdown.
Padam Padam
Christopher Walken will be playing the Emperor in DUNE PART 2.
Hey shaine. I'm looking forward to part two as well, I see . I follow. ( secrets of Dune, snd nerd cookies) for Dune content.
PERFECT casting
Oh shiiiiit!
Although I know the plot, Christopher Walken as Shadam makes me afraid for Paul.
My God that is good news, thank u🙏!
Personally, I’m a bit bummed that Charles Dance wasn’t cast to play him. I’ve seen some fan art of him as Shaddam that looks sick. Though to be fair, his take probably would have been Tywin Lannister all over again.
What’s the difference outside of Shaddam being a coward?
I am a bit worried by this casting but saying that wasn't sure about Bill skarsgard but he knocked it out of the park. Most of the casting has been really well dine so I will trust chris walken as denis's choice.
Though Charles Dance would have made a great emperor, it's hard to imagine him losing the war, so we'd get a totally different ending.
A different twist of Tywin, perhaps. But knowing Mr Charles Dance. It would have been a hell of a fun ride.
@@TraciPeteyforlife Tywin in SPACE!
Christopher Walken as Emperor Shaddam Corino the IV. Excellent!!!
I dont get why they keep casting old actors as the emperor. If i recall correctly, the emperor is described as a man looking like he's in his late 30's defying his actual age (i cant recall, 60's or 80's?). One of the many effects of spice is slowing down the effects of aging and extending the human lifespan dramatically based upon regular spice consumption.
i see plans within plans, but the spice must flow!
I don't understand why the video keeps saying that Lynch's novel adaptation was quite faithful to the author, when it clearly wasn't. I'm really not a book purist and have no problems with the changes that Villeneuve made in his adaptation, but Lynch basically changed the whole meaning of the book by changing the ending. He turned Paul into an actual messiah instead of the product of decades of manipulation. The whole book series is about distrusting authority and here he goes concluding the film by saying he's a real God, now down down! Don't get me wrong, I like Lynch's Dune in its own right, but it's not at all faithful to the novel.
I get why they cast Christopher Walken in the film, but Shaddam is exactly Walken's age in the book too, yet the Spice would make him appear significantly younger.
lol. yet without 'spice' in the real-world??..i reckon it'll be a cgi Walken-all gotta eat.
"Your father was a weak man." -Emperor Shaddam IV...
They never actually say his age. Maybe this Shaddam is much older than his previous counterpart to the point that this IS what he looks like even after the life extensive powers of spice slowed his aging. Shaddam in the book was 72 but looked approximately 35 (so close to half his age). Seeing as Chris is 81this Shaddam is about 160-165. Makes the end of his reign even more significant.
1984 - grandeur, effects, plot.
2000 - got the religion and the macinations right.
You need both to "get it"
The 2000 series had the advantage of being a series. I am amazed how much Lynch was able to do in ammount of time he had and baffled how little of that Dennis Vileneuve movie got across despite having more time. I've reread the book recently and much of worldbuilding for Arrakis happened before Duke's death. In the end I understand changes than for pacing though still lament lack of more subtle scenes that fleshed out characters much more (banquet, whole thing with Thufir Havat suspecting lady Jessica of being Harkonnen's agent).
Shaddam ironically caused his own fall, which shows how pathetic he is.
you guys should do a doom series. I would love that. awesome content, just binged a bunch
Why do people persist in treating Brian's fanfic as canon? There was no House Vernius
Per Frank Herbert, Ix was ruled by a confederacy
Of course, the "advanced Atredes weapons" were not in the book... nor Paul's ability to create rain with
a mere thought. Still, the Emperor played by fine actors in the original film and the mini-series.
YP
Thanks for this video on this dune character.
You say at 14:20 that the 1984 Adaptation of the movie was "Faithfull" to the origina "Story" = Not True! It was "Mostly" "Faithfull" The original story DID Not have Weirding devices! That was a movie adaptation, and a cool one at that, but not in the book! " "Faithfull" The original story DID Not have Weirding devices! That was a movie adaptation, and a cool one at that, but not in the book! Weirding is only done by those taught in the Bene Gesserit practices.
I am very much looking forward to part 2 and C.W. playing the Emperor Shaddam IV! This is going to be Cool!
Paul Atreides spawned a demigod that ruled over mankind brutally for thousands of years I have man half worm abomination
One of those most powerful individuals in the Universe, except that the Guild and Bene Gesserit have him by the balls literally. His Bene Gesserit wife refuses to give him a son to continue his dynasty because the witches want an interregnum in which to establish their Kwizatz Haderach in charge. BTW, the books make it plain that Leto and Shaddam could have been brothers, one dark and one with light skin and red hair.
Who knew Shaddam was Johnny Sack all this time? 🤣
If I remember reading the books, the emperor was the most powerful single person. However, he was not all powerful by any means. He had to take a careful hand when dealing with the guild or with the Bene Gesserit
Dune plot holes: 1: If emperor is so powerful, why does he not control Dune (spice) exclusively? 2: There are hundreds of thousands or millions of Fremen living in an almost waterless desert. What do they eat? It's been about 30 years since I read the books, so these might have been addressed and I don't remember.
I really can't see how anyone can say that David Lynch's Dune is true to the book.
1. Paul is a white savior in the Lynch movie, even a true messiah as it rains upon his victory. In the Book he is a cautionary tale, not a hero.
2. Weirding modules instead of the weirding way.
3. Milking cats? Really?
I could go on but... ugh
Do you understand the term white savior ?
@@redred1952 I absolutely do. A surface reading if Dune, which David Lynch's movie is largely based on, has Paul Atredies as a "white savior." The European (House Atredies is modeled on a European noble house) goes to the desert and saves the people modeled on ?Middle Eastern culture.
David Lynch goes even further than this and makes Paul a "true" Messiah, given him the power to explode bodies and break stone with just his voice and call down rain in the desert.
So I guess a better question is, do you know a white savior is?
@@johnschmalbach8243 You got part of it right but it's not a story of white guilt. Paul didn't save the fremen because he felt superior and realizes he had to check his "privilege"
@@redred1952 thank you for proving you have no clue what the "white savior" trope is because it has nothing to do with "white guilt" or "privilege."
@@redred1952 you are missing my entire point. My point is that while Paul is not at all a "White Savior" in the book, if you read it correctly, or the latest movies, he absolutely was in the David Lynch movie. Heck in the end of the movie he becomes a literal Messiah, causing Fayd's body to explode, and the granite underneath to crack, with just his voice and then it begins to rain on Arakis to herald his assuming godhood.
The problem is far too many readers, and apparently David Lynch, just do a surface reading and assume that Dune is about Paul being a demigod hero of sorts.
Can't wait for it. But I have to. Damn.
Thank you for making the great Christopher Walken look true to life in your thumbnail image! The woke "Denny Frenchname" made Christopher wear old age makeup that made Christopher look 80 years old.
looking forward to it
salve boa noite a todos nós e um ótimo final de semana 👍👏👏
The Cow Bell Must Flow :)
I know this. It’s a Christopher Walken - ‘Saturday Night Live’ reference, right?
@@johnkrappweis7367 bingo
The thumbnail's got me thinking that Peter Serafinowicz would make a great Shaddam
Wow this dude merked his dad for the throne and self destructed his house ? Major L
Truly impressive word salad
I'm 80% excited, 20% scared. Or is it 20% excited and 80% scared about Christopher Walken playing the emperor. I can only ever recall him playing similar characters, using his delivery. I'm interested to see what happens.
I've been lucky to have seen Christopher Walken's more dramatic and serious roles, a few of them at least, such as King of New York which was quite good, Seve Psychopaths (Love this one too), or Last Man Standing (Not too serious a role, but still quite a good villain role.).
He has the range despite the more mainstream stereotype view of him. I trust he will give his all, and I look forward to seeing it!
The bad news is Walken was dissapointing. The good news is he dosnt say much and has minimal screentime.
I always thought that this name was inspired by Saddam Hussein
In some "Dune" book, I don't remember if it was Frank Herbert's, or Brian Herbert's, and Kevin J. Anderson's, but I distinctly remember Shaddam being referred to as a "Sardakar, through, and through". So far, no depiction of him, has indicated this. He's been portrayed as a powerless idiot, or a powerless wanna be tough guy, who didn't realize how powerless he actually was.
God created Arrakis to train the faithful.
DUNCAN! DUNCAN! DUNCAN!
The emperor demands more cow bell
It was written during the 1960s Stoned Age.
Hey with the new Hunger Games film coming out how about some videos on Panem and the districts?
The emperors wife was a Reverend Mother. just a nit pick
Thanks
i thought the first dune movie was good for taking such a story down to two hours.
Shaddam Huhhsshein
rad.
Dune is messed up
ENUD
Obviously nobody in this channel has actually read the Dune books. Lynch's movie changes so many things from the book, most fan of the books finds that movie to be utter crap.
Loved the SciFi mini series tho!
I have read them all. I disagreed immediately when he said the movies were faithful, or mostly faithful to the books. I thought...did he even READ the books? Even though I loved both movies and mini series, I was disappointed. When the new one came out, I had high hopes that they would finally get it right, but alas, I again was disappointed. I wish someone would do a series and start at the beginning with the events leading up to the Butlerian Jihad, including all the books, even Brian's and Kevin's, and finish with the end of the war with the machines. But it would be too much for anyone to want to tackle. I wasn't so upset with the film makers leaving things out, although I was let down when they neglected key elements, but when they ADDED things that weren't in the books, I SMH 😞
I love the Dune books. They're pure magic
Emperor Shaddam may be one of the dumbest fictional rulers I've read/
If the emporer is such a baddass all powerful ruler of the known universe, why did they make him the biggest whimp in the dune 2 universe. Great actor. Pi55 poor script writing. He looked like he was waiting for someone to pre chew his food.
I refuse to watch the "new dune"...race/gender swapping, anda removal of the original text. I'd rather sit outside and read the original books with a cup of green tea.
SAYING THAT
The best part of Dune was when the Emperor was told to SHUT UP...and he did.
It funny, Shaddam as dumb as he is, look more menacing in the game Spice War than in the new Dune movie, that is a complete waste of time, they already wasted two hour and half of not doing any kind of world building, and now they would rush it all trough the window, without any kind of explanation or context, like I have saying for years since the Dune 2021, having Shaddam and Irulan now would make no sense whatsoever in context with the Artreides, because their backstories hadn't been establish in the previous movie.
لإمبراطور صدام ههههههههه😅
Biggest complaints I have about Dune (2021) is that Jason Mamoa is an extremely poor choice to play Duncan Idaho.
Extremely.