You’ll want to have your pinch of salt ready for this one, but according to a report over at The Express, Ian McDiarmid may be set to reprise the role of Emperor Palpatine for a key scene in Star Wars: Episode IX.
According to a “leak” from an unnamed source (which further sets alarm bells ringing), “Emperor Palpatine will play a role in Episode IX. 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.”
Now, it’s certainly not beyond the realm of possibility that Palpatine could appear in such a manner, but Palpatine has been linked to every Star Wars movie since Disney took over the saga, with the Sith Lord yet to make any kind of appearance. Couple this with the fact that The Express has a habit of turning Star Wars fan theories from social media into “leaks”, and it’s hard not to be sceptical about this report.
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Star Wars: Episode IX is set for release on December 20th 2019 with J.J. Abrams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) directing a cast that includes Star Wars veterans Daisy Ridley (Rey), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), Billie Lourd (Lieutenant Connix), Greg Grunberg (Snap Wexley), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian) and Carrie Fisher (Leia Organa) as well as new additions Naomi Ackie (Lady Mabeth), Richard E. Grant (Logan), Dominic Monaghan (Lost), Matt Smith (Doctor Who) and Keri Russell (The Americans).
