Star Wars 9 Rise of Skywalker: Palpatine star teases RETURN ‘George Lucas said I was DEAD’

On Friday the Episode IX panel at Star Wars Celebration revealed the first trailer and the film’s title. But what was even more intriguing than the film being called The Rise of Skywalker, was hearing Palpatine’s laugh. As the trailer ended, Darth Sidious actor McDiarmid – who has starred in four previous Star Wars movies – said in his villain’s voice, “roll it again.” Director JJ Abrams has since confirmed that Palpatine is indeed back, despite his apparent death at the end of Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.

Today, McDiarmid took part in the 20th-anniversary panel for Episode I: The Phantom Menace, where host Warwick Davis had to asked him about Episode IX.

Davis enquired: “Do you have anything to tell us?”

Deadpanning, McDiarmid replied: “Well, y’know. Friday. I just happened to be in the area.

“So I just thought I should drop in for a laugh.”

While later on during the panel McDiarmid revealed how George Lucas had told him that Palpatine was definitely dead after his fall in Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.

Star Wars fans will remember that a redeemed Anakin Skywalker threw Palpatine off a ledge on the Death Star II.

However, in the trailer for Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, the wreckage of the planet destroyer was seen as Palpatine’s laugh could be heard.

McDiarmid jokingly teased: “I made the assumption that we’d never see him again and I guess that’s how it will remain.”

So just how could Palpatine return?

Well, some fans think he used Snoke as a host body, while others reckon he’s been cloned like in the comics.

Hopefully, the next trailer will shed some light on the villain’s mysterious return.

Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker is released in UK cinemas on December 19, 2019.