Ian McDiarmid Defends Emperor's Return in 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker'

"Somehow, Palpatine returned." This line from The Rise of Skywalker has become a meme that encapsulates the controversial return of Emperor Palpatine, much to the dismay of many Star Wars fans. Despite his apparent demise in Return of the Jedi, Palpatine's reappearance in the latest installment stirred significant backlash. But what does Ian McDiarmid, the actor behind Palpatine for over 40 years, think about this fan reaction?

In a recent interview with Variety, celebrating the re-release of Revenge of the Sith which has seen impressive box office numbers, McDiarmid addressed the criticism with a nonchalant attitude. "Mine and Palpatine's logic was entirely reasonable," he remarked, defending the character's comeback. He elaborated on the concept of a 'Plan B,' suggesting that Palpatine, even in his severely damaged state, had contingencies in place. "When I realized I had a sort of astral wheelchair, that was even better," McDiarmid added, enjoying the fun of being transported around the set by four assistants. He also noted the new, more grotesque makeup design for the character.

Regarding the specific backlash against Palpatine's return, McDiarmid said, "Well, there's always something, isn't there?" He admitted to not engaging with online discussions, stating, "I don’t read that stuff and I’m not online. So it’ll only reach me if someone mentions it." He anticipated some reaction but remained firm in his belief that Palpatine's return was logical and compelling. "This man who was horribly maimed thought maybe one day it might happen to him, and we’ve got to have a plan B," McDiarmid explained. He enjoyed the idea of Palpatine returning even more powerful, only to be utterly destroyed in the end, ensuring the character's final demise.

The Rise of Skywalker offers a vague explanation for Palpatine's resurrection. Early in the film, Kylo Ren encounters a reanimated version of Palpatine, suggesting he didn't survive his fall in Return of the Jedi. Palpatine himself hints at his return through ancient Sith magic, referencing his iconic line from Revenge of the Sith: "The Dark Side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities that some would consider to be... unnatural."

Despite this explanation, many fans remain unsatisfied with Palpatine's return, preferring to overlook it altogether. The future of the Star Wars saga remains uncertain, but upcoming projects may choose to address or ignore this plot point. Daisy Ridley's character, Rey Skywalker, is set to return in multiple future films, with one confirmed sequel directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. This film will explore Rey's efforts to rebuild the Jedi Order 15 years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker, potentially offering new directions for the franchise.

Every Upcoming Star Wars Movie and TV Show

View 23 Images