Star Wars 9 theory: Palpatine’s return and role revealed? He’s back but NOT how you think

There’s been much speculation over just how Palpatine is back for The Rise of Skywalker. After all, it’s been part of Star Wars canon for years that Darth Sidious was killed by a redeemed Anakin Skywalker at the close of Return of the Jedi. But following April’s Rise of Skywalker teaser, the Emperor’s evil laugh could be heard over footage of Rey and pals coming across the wreckage of Death Star II – where he supposedly died. Having considered the some of best theories all together, here’s how we think Palpatine could return and what his Dark Side plan is.

First off, if you look closely at the Return of the Jedi scene where Palpatine is thrown off the balcony by Anakin, the Emperor uses Force lightning on his apprentice when picked up.

At that moment Darth Vader’s helmet lights up and you can see flashes of his skull, as the lightning ultimately kills him.

Now considering that helmet is now in Kylo Ren’s possession and its return was spotted in a Rise of Skywalker sizzle reel, what if Palpatine transferred his soul to the headgear?

Certainly, it’s now Star Wars canon that Sith Lords, who cannot become Force ghosts like Jedi, can live on through Dark Side artefacts.

In the official Darth Vader comics, Palpatine gave his apprentice the helmet of a deceased Sith called Lord Momin.

But soon after receiving the headgear, the soul of Momin began speaking to Vader.

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Since Palpatine gave Vader Momin’s helmet, it seems likely he’d know Sith can live on in this way.

So maybe The Rise of Skywalker will see Darth Sidious talking to Kylo Ren through his grandfather’s helmet and requesting a new body.

A recent theory pointed out it’s possible and was known to Palpatine that some beings can dematerialise and then use another body as a vessel.

The most prominent example of this is Darth Maul’s mother Talzin from The Clones Wars series.

She could still interact with the physical world using Darth Maul’s body as a vessel and at one point possesses Count Dooku, and could regain her physical form.

So just who could be a new vessel for Palpatine?

Who better than the mysterious and Force-sensitive Rey, whose attachment to the Skywalker lightsaber would no doubt intrigue the Emperor.

Considering that shot of Dark Rey is in The Rise of Skywalker’s latest trailer, maybe this is Darth Sidious possessing her?

And perhaps after a while, he intends to regain his own physical form as Talzin could?

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