Lucasfilm surprised the franchise's fandom when it revealed Palpatine's iconic laugh at the end of Star Wars: The Rise of the Skywalker trailer. The infamous cackle gave birth to a lot of theories, pointing to how the classic villain would make a comeback in the movie. Did it mean that he was there at the start of the final trilogy all along?
In true to the franchise's fashion, details about Palpatine's return remain under wraps. However, Dork Side of the Force noted Star Wars: The Rise of the Skywalker might complete what the first two movies lacked in - a real antagonist.
Everyone thought Snoke (Andy Serkis) was the new villain that replaced Palpatine. But with his death in The Last Jedi, people were left confused about thinking who could be the real rival in the final trilogy. His demise left a significant hole for having the traditional Star Wars enemy.
Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) became the First Order's new supreme leader, but he seemed unfit to be the new villain in line with Snoke, Palpatine, and Darth Vader. There are even theories he might have a change of heart and be like his grandfather who threw Palpatine at the end of Return of the Jedi for redemption.
So, would Palpatine return to take the role of the iconic villain in Star Wars: The Rise of the Skywalker? According to Screen Rant, Palpatine might have survived his death in the Death Star's reactor. JJ Abrams' confirmation of Ian McDiarmid's return to the trilogy's final film also proved of the Emperor's comeback.
But how could he be returning to Star Wars: The Rise of the Skywalker? Luke Skywalker's (Mark Hamill) line in The Last Jedi that said, "no one is ever really gone" seemed to indicate that the villain had been there all the while. Yoda and the Jedi Order also felt that there was a powerful Sith Lord moving against them.
If Palpatine survived his fall and had live throughout the franchise since the Return of the Jedi, how come no one felt his presence in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi? Just like Luke, Darth Sidious might be hiding in the dark, cutting himself off from the Force to avoid being detected by both the Resistance and the First Order.
Palpatine had enacted this plan in the previous trilogies, thus it might work well in Star Wars: The Rise of the Skywalker. The Last Jedi ended with a weakened Resistance and Republic and unstable Kylo Ren leading the First Order.
So, Palpatine's return in Star Wars: The Rise of the Walker might be the perfect time to do his thing and try to rule the galaxy once again. The final film to the sequel trilogy is set to be out on December 19.
