Theories of episode 9 of Star Wars: The Return of Emperor Palpatine

"Your weak skills are no match for the power of the dark side …"

Yep, the villain of the Star Wars franchise, Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) is making his comeback in The Rise of Skywalker, the ninth episode of the Skywalker saga.

The news was confirmed when his naughty cackle was heard in the movie's trailer and by the appearance of McDiarmid at the 2019 Star Wars Celebration Fans Day in Chicago, Illinois.

Submitted to death at the end of the initial trilogy closer to the return of the Jedi by his conflicting apprentice, Darth Vader, the galactic empire collapsed with his death and peace was instituted in the galaxy – until On the rise of the ugly First Order.

But how is the villain back?

Here are some theories about how the Sith Lord came back from the dead …

Theories of episode 9 of Star Wars: The return of Palpatine

Palpatine is back as a ghost of strength

Although we have not yet seen the appearance of a Sith Lord as a ghost of force in Star Wars movies, it would not be an exaggeration to imagine that Palpatine is coming back as a mind similar to that of other characters.

Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) appeared in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi as a ghost and interacted with Luke Skywalker, while Yoda did the same in Return of the Jedi and The Last Jedi.

Heck, even Anakin Skywalker (Sebastian Shaw, Hayden Christensen) also appeared to Luke in Return of the Jedi, to badert his redemption history.

So, the evil Dark Sidious could he have found a way to come back this way too?

Palpatine appears in Rey in a vision – for a great revelation

The Force Awakens and the Last Jedi featured the very powerful Rey (Daisy Ridley) confronted with visions of past, upcoming events and dream scenarios.

This could allow Palpatine to make an appearance to our heroine and make revelations.

While the question of Rey's filiation is still raised as The Last Jedi hinted that it was of no importance, could Palpatine be the father of Rey ?!

It was reported that Matt Smith had been chosen as young Palpatine, despite the refusal of a role of the actor, but could it be a secret appearance in a flash – back explaining Rey's birth?

Palpatine possessed the supreme leader Snoke

Now, that would not explain exactly how Palpatine appears in The Rise of Skywalker, but backtracking could reveal that he was orchestrating the rise of the First Order as Supreme Guide Snoke.

Like Rey's parentage, The Last Jedi rejected the importance of the Dark Order leader and saw him murdered by his apprentice Kylo Ren, like Palpatine in Return of the Jedi.

But the ninth episode could reveal that Palpatine had owned Snoke all this time and used it like a ship to execute his bad will.

Welcome, Clone Palpatine

By taking a leaf of expanded universe novels, which are no longer in the canon field, the films could reveal that Palpatine continues to live – through a clone.

In the Dark Empire novel, it was shown that Palpatine had a clone to live in and bring about the return of the Empire.

Too weird for a movie? Maybe, but it would bring back the big bad guy without undoing his death in Return of the Jedi.

Palpatine never died at the end of the Return of the Jedi

The explanation for Palpatine's return may be simple: he was never dead.

We see him throw Death Star 's death star and cause an explosion of electricity and smoke, but could he have lived all this time?

According to the previous film Revenge of the Sith, his master Dark Plagueis was looking for a way to become immortal before his apprentice Dark Sidious killed him.

Could Palpatine have mastered this art?

Would that make sense if it was the case while Rey and her friends seem to have traveled to the ruins of a death star in the new trailer? Could be alive in the ruins, somehow?

I guess we'll have to wait and see!

Star Wars: The rise of Skywalker will be released in British theaters on December 19, 2019.

How do you think Palpatine comes back in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker? Let us know in the comments below.