Written by Joy Lyn Parohinog Francisco
Brace yourselves: Ian McDiarmid actually confirms Emperor Palpatine is to return to an upcoming Star Wars Disney Plus series.
Countless Star Wars fan theorists have said this. Numerous fan reaction and review videos have covered it. The possibility of seeing Emperor Palpatine is utterly palpable. Especially during the timeline between Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars.
During a panel at the Imperial Commissary Collectors Convention held April 29 – May 1, the actor indeed stated it. Ian McDiarmid said he reprised the role of Emperor Palpatine for an upcoming Disney Plus series. His words:
There’s a certain show coming soon set right around the time I may have considered to be very active. Whether or not you will see my physical body, I cannot comment on. But you will certainly feel my presence.
Ian McDiarmid Confirms Emperor Palpatine’s Return In Disney Plus Series
Image: Lucasfilm
There are two upcoming Disney Plus series that the actor could be referring to. These are the Obi-Wan Kenobi series starring Ewan McGregor in the lead and Hayden Christensen as Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker. The other is Andor which is at the time before Star Wars: Rogue One. Andor follows Diego Luna as Cassian Andor during the initial years of the Rebellion.
His presence in both would actually make sense. In this timeline, Emperor Palpatine is very much alive. Not even a clone. Scenes where he could interact with Darth Vader or even Obi Wan are not exactly unimaginable. At the same time, interactions during the formative years of the rebellion will not be far-fetched either.
What will be intriguing is if he will appear in the timelines featured in other newer series. The ones for The Mandalorian or The Book of Boba Fett or Ahsoka. That is if the Ahsoka series will be continuing from the timeline of The Mandalorian as well. Of course, there is always the clone storyline. In Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, a clone of the Emperor once again appeared. The clone even said that he has always been in Kylo Ren’s head. He is every voice that Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren heard in his mind.
Ian McDiarmid Confirms Emperor Palpatine’s Return In Disney Plus Series
Image: Lucasfilm
Moff Gideon in The Mandalorian Season Two has implied that he must find a way to ensure the Emperor’s return. Some photos even got leaked on twitter not long ago. The photos hint at red imperial guards that Din Djarin ends up fighting. Grogu, The Child, and his significance to this sinister goal is still a strong arc of the series.
It seems that the Emperor has countless ways to resurrect himself. Such that there is always a possibility that he would somehow exist anytime. That in itself is creepy. Some fans comment that it’s more likely that he will appear on Andor.
Andor needs the weight of Emperor Palpatine.
Also, based on his description, it could even be just a glimpse of him or with his voice or something. Who knows? But what do you think?