"Somehow, Palpatine returned." This iconic Star Wars line has become a meme that encapsulates the fanbase's mixed feelings about Emperor Palpatine's resurrection in The Rise of Skywalker. Many fans were vocal about their dissatisfaction with his return, especially following his seemingly definitive demise in Return of the Jedi. But how did Ian McDiarmid, the actor behind Palpatine for over four decades, respond to the criticism?
In a recent interview with Variety, celebrating the re-release of Revenge of the Sith which has enjoyed a significant box office success, McDiarmid addressed the backlash with a dismissive shrug. He justified Palpatine's return, stating, "mine and Palpatine's logic was entirely reasonable." He elaborated on the character's foresight, suggesting that Palpatine had a "plan B" in place, given his severe injuries and the possibility of such an eventuality. McDiarmid humorously recounted the fun he had being transported around the set in what he referred to as an "astral wheelchair" and the challenge of adopting an even more grotesque makeup look for the film.
Regarding the backlash specifically, McDiarmid remarked, "Well, there’s always something, isn’t there?” He admitted to being somewhat insulated from online criticism, saying, "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 to Palpatine's return but felt the narrative choice was justified. "This man who was horribly maimed thought maybe one day it might happen to him, and we’ve got to have a plan B," he explained, emphasizing his enthusiasm for the storyline where Palpatine returns even more powerful, only to be utterly destroyed at the end.
The film itself provides a cryptic explanation for Palpatine's revival. When Kylo Ren encounters him, Palpatine appears as a reanimated version of his former self, hinting at the use of ancient Sith magic. This is underscored by Palpatine's own words 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 explanation, it's clear that many fans remain unconvinced by Palpatine's return and would prefer to ignore it altogether. The future of the Star Wars saga remains to be seen, with upcoming projects potentially choosing to acknowledge or sidestep this contentious plot point. Daisy Ridley's character, Rey Skywalker, is set to return in several upcoming films, including a sequel directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. This film will follow Rey as she attempts to rebuild the Jedi Order 15 years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker, offering new storylines that may or may not revisit the legacy of Palpatine.
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