"Somehow, Palpatine returned." This iconic line from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker has become a meme that encapsulates the divisive reaction to Emperor Palpatine's return. Many fans were critical of his revival through cloning, especially after his supposed demise in Return of the Jedi. But how did Ian McDiarmid, the actor who has portrayed Palpatine for over 40 years, respond to the backlash?
In a recent interview with Variety, celebrating the re-release of Revenge of the Sith which has been a box office success, McDiarmid addressed the criticism. He dismissed the backlash, stating, "Mine and Palpatine’s logic was entirely reasonable." He elaborated on Palpatine's contingency plan, saying, "It seemed entirely probable that Palpatine had plan B. Even though he was very, very badly damaged, he would be able to be put it together in some form." McDiarmid also shared his enjoyment of the filming process, particularly noting the fun of being transported around the set in what he called an "astral wheelchair."
Regarding the specific backlash to Palpatine's return, McDiarmid remarked, "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 emphasized Palpatine's foresight in planning for his potential downfall, and his satisfaction with the character's return being even more powerful, albeit requiring a more grotesque makeup look.
*The Rise of Skywalker* offers a somewhat vague explanation of Palpatine's return, showing him as a reanimated version of his former self when Kylo Ren finds him. Palpatine himself hints at the use of ancient Sith magic, quoting his memorable 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 the film's explanation, many fans remain unconvinced about Palpatine's return, and some may choose to ignore it altogether. Looking ahead, the future of the Star Wars franchise includes several upcoming projects. Daisy Ridley's Rey Skywalker is set to return in a sequel directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, which will explore Rey's efforts to rebuild the Jedi Order 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker. Ridley's character has been identified as a key cinematic asset for the franchise, suggesting a continued focus on her story.
Every Upcoming Star Wars Movie and TV Show
View 23 Images
