Episode IX of Star Wars: Ian McDiarmid says the emperor is definitely "dead"

Ian McDiarmid, the man who played Emperor Palpatine, wants you to know that the powerful Sith Master is absolutely "definitely" dead Episode IX. Whether or not you believe the man who played one of the most devious traitors in the movie story depends on you.

McDiarmid made an incredible appearance last week on his way to Star Wars Celebration in Chicago as the light from the first screening of the trailer was brought to light. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

"Roll again," he croaked, illuminated by a spotlight in a corner of the stage.

And they did it, while thousands of fans in the audience watched it with a fresh look. The whisper of McDiarmid's signature comes at the end of the spot, leaving the impression that he will resume his role as Palpatine in the conclusion of the franchise that is now over 40 years old.

But at a panel on the 20th anniversary of Star Wars: The Phantom MenaceMcDiarmid was exceptionally shy.

"After attending your surprise appearance here at Celebration on Friday," asked the panelist, Warwick Davis (Return of the jedi, willow), "I have to ask: do you have something to tell us?"

After the crowd has finished roaring, McDiarmid is opposed.

"I was right in the zone," he said, rolling his eyes, "then I thought I should stop to laugh."

But McDiarmid did not stop there. On several occasions during the panel, he returned to conversations that he had had with George Lucas over the years on the fate of Palpatine.

"Is he …?" And before I can even finish my sentence, "McDiarmid remembered, mimicking Lucas," Dead, yes. "" Well, maybe he could not … "He's dead." Well, that would not be not interesting if …? "" Forget it. "

It is likely that Palpatine's return was still part of Lucas's plan. In the preliminary phase, fans will remember that the senator's great speech on behalf of the dark side, addressed to Anakin Skywalker, was that he could help a person to cheat death. Later in Star Wars Rebels cartoons, Lucasfilm doubled on this idea; an important part of his plot included Palpatine's quest for ancient artifacts that could give him unusual powers.

"You know that it's possible to change fate," says Palpatine, voiced by none other than McDiarmid himself. "There are infinite paths and infinite possibilities. […] So few have the choice to live the life they want. Why deny yourself?

Unfortunately, the scene was crowded with stars and members of the production team behind The ghost threat, each deserving his time at the microphone. So Davis could not ask McDiarmid to give him any additional clues about the emperor's ultimate fate.

However, present fans had the opportunity to shamelessly celebrate Episode I, one of the most ridiculous entries in the Star Wars catalog. The Chicago Wintrust Arena, which can accommodate more than 10,000 people, was packed with almost as many fans as last week. Episode IX reveal.

The space was also filled with love, especially for the actor Ahmed Best, the man who played Jar Jar Binks. Last year, the actor revealed that he had had problems with depression following the consequences of his fatal role as a drug addict. This year fans gave him a standing ovation.

The rise of Skywalker, the last chapter of the Star Wars Skywalker saga, arrives in theaters on December 20, 2019.