- [Narrator] Emperor Palpatine
was the ultimate, old school baddie,
in a galaxy far, far away.
And based on recent posters, trailers and rumors
for 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,'
Emperor Wrinkle Face will be making a comeback.
- No!
No!
- [Narrator] Yes, yes, yes!
On this "IMDbrief," we explore the history of Palpatine
and what his return might involve
in the final chapter of the Skywalker Saga.
(logo whooshes)
'Star Wars' Episodes I through III
followed Sheev Palpatine, also known as Darth Sidious,
the evil Sith Lord who disguised himself as the Senator
of his home planet, Naboo,
and eventually became the Supreme Chancellor
of the Galactic Republic.
This, along with his crazy electro-ticklers
gave him the power to destroy the Jedi Counsel
and take over the galaxy.
(bolts crackling fiercely) - Unlimited power!
- [Narrator] With that power he reigned supreme
over the Empire
in Episodes IV through VI.
Before his apprentice, Darth Vader
threw him to his shocking death,
or so we thought until we saw the first trailer
for 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker'
and heard this familiar cackle:
(sinister cackling)
The rumor was made carbonite solid
by Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy
who confirmed that Palpatine's return has been in the works
for quite some time.
And recently, Director J.J."Lens Flare" Abrams
defended the decision
stating that there was a need to bring the character back
to make all nine films in the saga feel like one epic story.
- Come, on.
You must have a thousand questions.
- [Narrator] Well, actually just one question.
How did Palpatine survive the deadly fall,
or come back to the land of the living?
Though he might simply return as a Force ghost
like so many dead Jedi,
there are some more interesting potential answers
in 'Star Wars: Episode III- Revenge of the Sith,'
and the recent canon Star Wars comics.
- Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?
- [Narrator] In 'Revenge of the Sith,'
Palpatine tells future Vader, Anakin Skywalker,
about his master Darth Plagueis
who was a Sith Lord so powerful
that he could use the dark side to create life
or keep those that he loved from dying.
- Unfortunately, he taught his apprentice
everything he knew,
then his apprentice killed him in his sleep.
- [Narrator] That's a weird way of saying thanks!
But anyway, with this rare Sith ability,
it's possible that Palpatine could've kept himself alive
after he appeared to have fallen to his death
during the climax of 'Return of the Jedi.'
Then slowly regained his power and kept himself busy
by building a Sith Trooper Army
until the 'Rise of Skywalker.'
- Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen (evil cackle).
(ominous music)
- [Narrator] But if that doesn't fill your bacta tank,
another explanation comes from the pages
of the recent Darth Vader comic series
written by Charles Soule
in which Palpatine gives Vader the helmet
of a long dead Sith Lord named Darth Momin
who, right before his death, possessed the helmet
with his dark side powers.
- You don't know the power of the Dark Side!
- [Narrator] Anyone who wore Darth Momin's head gear
would be overtaken by his spirit,
and since Palpatine freely admitted to his apprentice
that he had learned many Force secrets
from studying the artifacts,
he could also be capable of possessing an object,
maybe even Darth Vader's helmet
which is now in the private collection
of everyone's favorite high-waisted, emo Lord, Kylo Ren.
(light saber whooshing and crackling)
(screaming and yelling)
(electricity cracking) (metal clanging)
(yelling) (metal crashing)
This ability to possess objects and unsuspecting pawns
could also explain the appearance of Dark Side Rey
in the 'Rise of Skywalker' trailer
as she could be a vessel for Palpatine's spirit.
But, we'll have to wait until December 20th
when the film is released to know for sure.
- I've been waiting for this day for a long time.
- [Narrator] For more Star Wars news and intergalactic info,
stay tuned to IMDb.com/imdbrief.
- No!
No!