Longtime Star Wars actor Ian McDiarmid has opened up about whether or not he will ever return to the franchise as Emperor Palpatine.
Ian McDiarmid first made his first appearance as Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. He would go on to reprise the role in the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy and was a scene-stealer in every moment he was on camera in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Since then, the actor has reprised the role a number of times, including voicing him in Star Wars: Rebels animated series. He appeared one last time in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker where he made a surprise return as the film’s main antagonist. However, another appearance may not be off the table.
Since Disney took over LucasFilm, a big part of the studio’s focus has been on the period in between Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. Iconic characters like Darth Vader have already made a return in these installments as will Obi-Wan Kenobi in the upcoming Disney Plus series. Hayden Christensen is also returning for the series so there is no telling who may also come back. While he didn’t confirm that anything was in the works, Ian McDiarmid admitted that another Emperor Palpatine return was possible.
While speaking to Metro, Ian McDiarmid talked about the possibility of Emperor Palpatine making more appearances in the franchise:
“I think I have to accept that, thanks to my ungrateful granddaughter [Rey Skywalker], my annihilation was finally final. [But] of course [Darth] Vader is back in the new [Obi-Wan Kenobi] television series, so I suppose it’s not impossible that one day his mentor might be discovered once again skulking in the shadows.”
Ian McDiarmid last appeared as Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Here is the official 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, the film 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. The late Carrie Fisher appears as General Leia Organa by using previously unreleased footage shot for The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.
The film is now available on Digital HD, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-Ray, and DVD. Stay tuned for all the latest news surrounding the franchise and be sure to subscribe to Heroic Hollywood’s Youtube channel for more original video content.
Source: Metro via Comicbook.com
