In the classic superhero film “Batman Returns” from 1992, Walken took on the role of Max Shreck, a Gotham villain. Directed by Tim Burton, the movie achieved a worldwide gross of $266.8 million, surpassing its $80 million budget, as reported by Box Office Mojo.
Just a couple of years later, in 1994, Walken portrayed Captain Koons, a Vietnam War veteran, in Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction.” He shared the screen with other legendary actors like Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, and John Travolta. “Pulp Fiction” received eight awards out of 26 nominations, according to IMDb.
Far Out Magazine noted that Walken’s performance in “Pulp Fiction” is one of the film’s most memorable moments due to his deadpan delivery, which perfectly captured the movie’s tone. Roger Avary, Tarantino’s collaborator, contributed to Walken’s famous scene. Tarantino explained, “When I wrote it, given the length of the monologue, I rethought it as a series of shots.” He later edited the clips to make it appear as if it was a single continuous take.
The early 2000s brought more success for Walken when he starred alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks in the 2002 film “Catch Me If You Can,” earning him a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor.
While Walken has proven himself as a serious actor, he has also excelled as a character actor. He portrayed Captain Hook in “Peter Pan Live!” and voiced King Louie in the live-action film adaptation of “The Jungle Book” during the 2010s.
A Compilation of 50 Movie Dance Moments
Although dancing on screen has not always been a frequent occurrence for Walken, he has eagerly embraced the opportunity whenever it arose. According to Entertainment Weekly, his former teacher assisted him in finding chances to dance, such as in the 1981 film “Pennies From Heaven.”
A few years later, Walken dyed his hair to portray a ginger cat in “Puss in Boots.” In 2001, he famously starred in the music video for Fatboy Slim’s “Weapon of Choice.” When approached to participate in “Peter Pan Live!”, Walken agreed under one condition: “As long as I can dance.” The production team gladly complied.
Newer generations have been captivated by Walken’s effortless dance abilities. However, earlier in his career, dancing was a more common occurrence. In fact, Walken has showcased his dance moves in 50 different movies.
Most of these dance moments were brief. In some, he danced at weddings, while in others, he portrayed an eccentric character dancing alone in a nightclub. Some of these instances occurred in musicals, such as his memorable dance in front of the television in “Hairspray.” Reflecting on this extensive repertoire of dance moments, it’s truly remarkable to have such a treasure trove of movement. Many actors may never appear in as many films, and those who do often don’t have the opportunity to engage in such intriguing dance sequences.
Regardless of the role or age he portrays, Walken consistently finds a way to command attention and proudly showcase his exceptional acting and dancing skills
