"Somehow, Palpatine returned." This line from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker has become a meme that encapsulates fans' mixed feelings about the Emperor's unexpected comeback. Despite his dramatic demise in Return of the Jedi, Palpatine's return in the latest installment stirred significant controversy among the Star Wars community. However, Ian McDiarmid, the actor who has portrayed Palpatine for over four decades, had a different perspective on the backlash.
In a recent interview with Variety, coinciding with the successful re-release of Revenge of the Sith in theaters, McDiarmid addressed the criticism head-on. He dismissed the uproar, stating, "mine and Palpatine’s logic was entirely reasonable." McDiarmid elaborated on the plausibility of Palpatine's return, explaining, "It seemed entirely probable that Palpatine had plan B. Even though he was very, very badly damaged, he would be able to put it together in some form." He also humorously mentioned enjoying the unique filming experience, including being transported around the set in an "astral wheelchair" and working on a new, more grotesque makeup look.
When specifically asked about the backlash to Palpatine's revival, McDiarmid responded with a nonchalant attitude: "Well, there’s always something, isn’t there? I don’t read that stuff and I’m not online. So it’ll only reach me if someone mentions it. I thought there might be a bit of a fuss about bringing him back. But as I said, mine and Palpatine’s logic was entirely reasonable." He further justified Palpatine's return by highlighting the character's foresight and the idea of him becoming even more powerful, albeit destined for an ultimate demise.
The Rise of Skywalker offers a somewhat cryptic explanation of Palpatine's resurrection. When Kylo Ren encounters him early in the film, Palpatine appears as a reanimated version of his former self, suggesting he did not survive his fall in Return of the Jedi. Instead, he utilized a contingency plan, leveraging the dark side of the Force, which he describes as "a pathway to many abilities that some would consider to be... unnatural."
Despite the film's attempt to justify Palpatine's return, many fans remain unconvinced and would rather ignore this plot development. The future of the Star Wars saga remains uncertain in this regard, but upcoming projects continue to expand the universe. Daisy Ridley, who played Rey in The Rise of Skywalker, is set to return in multiple films, including a sequel directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. This upcoming movie will explore Rey's efforts to rebuild the Jedi Order approximately 15 years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker, potentially offering new directions for the franchise.
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