With all the prequels happening to the Star Wars franchise on top of the sequels, Ian McDiarmid hopes that no one else will be cast in the role of Emperor Palpatine in future films. McDiarmid played the role in all three prequels and the original trilogy entry “Return of the Jedi” where his character was seemingly was killed by Darth Vader. McDiarmid does not know if he will be needed for future ones
Speaking with BBC News this week, the “Star Wars” veteran actor said that he would rather not see anyone else take on the role of role of Emperor Palpatine who did not appear in ‘Rogue One’ and is not going to appear in the young Han Solo spin-off film:
“I suppose there must be a chance but I think you’d find out about it more quickly than I would. As far as the new films are concerned, I’m dead. There is no question about that. But there is what they call the anthology series and actually the most recent one, Rogue One, was about the time when I was in charge. I was referred to a few times, Darth Vader popped up, but you did not see me. Maybe they are keeping me as a surprise for later but I have no idea. Of course, I don’t want anyone else to play him.”
The character has been resurrected in comic form in the past and recently there was an unconfirmed rumor of an appearance in ‘The Last Jedi’ but not in a way fans would expect. However, that rumor has since been dismissed and it does not appear Emperor Palpatine will have any further use. It is certainly understandable why an actor would not like to be replaced from their most iconic role.
In the comic series Legends released in 1991 and 1992 with the Dark Empire series of comic books written by Tom Veitch, the Emperor was resurrected as the Emperor Reborn or “Palpatine the Undying,” processing the body of Jeng Droga, one of Palpatine’s elite spies and assassins. We could also see a film starring Palpatine centered around the novel Darth Plagueis by James Luceno, which tells the backstory of the Sith Darth Plagueis and a young Palpatine. Either way, it would be exciting to see the Emperor make his grand entrance back into the galaxy far, far away.
Palpatine, also known as Darth Sidious, was a Force-sensitive Human male who served as the last Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic and the first Emperor of the Galactic Empire. A Dark Lord of the Sith in the Order of the Sith Lords, recorded by history as the most powerful who had ever lived, his entire life was the culmination of a thousand-year plan to overthrow the Republic and the Jedi Order from within.
What do you think about the possible recasting of Palpatine in future films? Do you want to see the character again or are you fine with not seeing him anymore? Let us know in the comments section.
Photo Credit: Disney/Lucasfilm