Star Wars: Ian McDiarmid Addresses The New Emperor Clone Twist

Emperor Palpatine Star Wars Ian McDiarmid Clone Return of the Jedi

Ian McDiarmid has addressed the new twist on The Emperor in the upcoming novelization of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Last year’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was perhaps the most divisive Star Wars film since Disney took over the property. While the film grossed over $1B worldwide it was none the less the least grossing of the sequel trilogy and earned mixed reviews from critics. Among the complaints was the bizarre return of Ian McDiarmid’s Emperor Palpatine who just kind of showed up at the start of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Ian McDiarmid first appeared as Emperor Palpatine in the 1983 film Star Wars: Episode IV-Return of the Jedi. He would go on to reprise the role in the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy and eventually returned for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. His return, however, caused confusion among fans and critics as the film did not explain whether the character was a clone or the original Emperor Palpatine who somehow survived the destruction of the second Death Star. Recently it was revealed that the upcoming novel adaptation of the film would definitely say that this version of Emperor Palpatine was, in fact, a clone.

During a recent convention appearance, Ian McDiarmid himself spoke about this new twist on the Emperor and revealed that this was the original plan in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker but the lines were ultimately cut out:

The cloning thing? Yes. Well, of course, there were all sorts of explanations for why I might return. But it’s interesting because at one point the script had line in that first scene with Adam who when he says ‘You’re a clone.’ and I said in that original script which is no longer with us ‘More than a clone. Less than a man.’ Which seemed to me to sum it up really.

You can see the full video of Ian McDiarmid addressing the new clone twist on Emperor Palpatine below:

https://twitter.com/senatesidious/status/1233995580709449729?s=20

What do you all think of this new addition to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker? Should the Emperor clone twist have been left in the film? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Ian McDiarmid’s Emperor Palpatine was last seen in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Here is a plot synopsis for the film:

Lucasfilm and director J. J. Abrams join forces once again to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the riveting conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, where new legends will be born and the final battle for freedom is yet to come.

Directed by J. J. Abrams, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker stars Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, Billie Lourd, Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant, Keri Russell, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Ian McDiarmid, and Billy Dee Williams. Carrie Fisher will appear as General Leia Organa through the use of previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will arrive March 17th on digital and on 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD on March 31st. Meanwhile, the novelization will be released on March 3rd.

Source: Twitter

Trey Griffeth

Trey Griffeth

Lover of video games, comics, and movies! Writer of all things that involve them!