Star Wars: 10 Greatest Emperor Palpatine Moments
6. First Physical Appearance
This moment, taking place in Return Of The Jedi, is the first time Palpatine – now known as the Emperor – makes a physical appearance in Star Wars. He does not feature in A New Hope, and only appears as a hologram in The Empires Strikes Back.
His entrance is appropriately preceded by the iconic Imperial March theme composed by John Williams. With his shuttle docked in the Death Star hanger, he slowly descends the ramp with cane in hand and steam jets billowing behind him. Darth Vader greets him, the domineering cyborg villain knelt before his master, signalling the power he must hold to humble a figure such as Vader in this way.
The two walk through the aisles of identical troops – a pleasing display of military grandeur for any dictator – and they discuss the completion of the Death Star, as well as the search for Luke Skywalker, their plan being to turn him to the Dark Side.