Star Wars Episode 9: Why That Palpatine Rumour Probably Isn't True
Is J.J. Abrams bringing the Emperor back to Star Wars?
Filming on Star Wars Episode IX has been underway for a couple of months now, and while there's the typical J.J. Abrams level of secrecy around the project, that hasn't stopped a number of rumours from swirling about the movie.
The latest points to the return of a character we haven't seen since Return of the Jedi (with good reason), Emperor Palpatine. It comes from serial Star Wars YouTuber/rumourmonger Mike Zeroh, who claims Palpatine will come back in a scene involving Kylo Ren on a jungle planet (via Inverse):
"Emperor Palpatine will play a role in Episode 9. Specifically, Kylo Ren with an ignited lightsaber, presumably his cross-guard lightsaber, cutting through a blast door on some jungle planet and entering what appears to be a vault… Eventually Kylo Ren is holding a square object that projects a lifelike projection of Emperor Palpatine. Palpatine’s hand is raised in front of Kylo Ren showing blueprints or plans that could be a new weapon.”
It's an intriguing proposition, and one that has understandably got a lot of fans talking. Regardless of opinion on The Last Jedi and Solo, it does seem like Star Wars needs a shot in the arm to bring the fanbase back together and build more excitement for Episode 9, and you can see a degree of logic in bringing back a major character to do that (see also: Luke, Leia, and Lando all returning).
There is also one part of the rumour we know to be true, as set photos - courtesy of Making Star Wars - have revealed a jungle planet, although it's unclear if this is a new location or a return to one we've seen before. There's also the fact this is the end not just of the Sequel Trilogy, but the whole Skywalker Saga, so Abrams might be looking to tie all nine movies together.
Still, there's not really a lot to go on with regards to Palpatine returning, given the character has hardly even been mentioned in the new series, save for Luke's line about Darth Sidious' rise to power in The Last Jedi. The Emperor's role post-death was covered in Battlefront II, where we saw his final plan unfold, and the First Order has risen in place of the Empire. Since this is over 30-years on story-wise, it wouldn't make much sense to revisit the character.
We've seen Kylo Ren obsessed with ghosts of the past before, but it'd be much more logical in terms of character and narrative to have him come face-to-face with Luke again, or even Darth Vader - seeing Anakin come back feels more likely than Palpatine - than it would a character he's never shown any interest in or connection to.
As for the new weapon, there needs to be something for the Resistance to fight, but given how thin their ranks are at the end of Episode VIII, even just mounting an attack on the First Order is a tall ask, let alone a new superweapon. After Starkiller Base in The Force Awakens, Abrams will know he can't simply do another Death Star redux, and it feels implausible that the Emperor would just happen to have these plans lying around for three decades.
Obviously, this is all conjecture one way or another until Episode IX is released - or Ian McDiarmid is confirmed to return - but, aside from the jungle planet and the possibility of another weapon, the idea of Palpatine returning in any capacity (and this goes double for those Rey parentage theories) is a stretch.
Do you think Palpatine will return in Episode IX? Do you want him to? Let us know down in the comments.