People were undoubtedly shocked when it was revealed that Emperor Sheev Palpatine would return in Star Wars Episode 9 although the character has long been killed in Return of the Jedi. Not surprisingly, the Sith Lord's unexpected comeback has led to several speculations about how Palpatine may have survived after all this time. But is it possible that Sheev's return in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker has something to do with a plan he had conceived a long time ago? A new theory suggests that Palpatine had created Anakin Skywalker so he can achieve immortality.
There is still a lot of mystery behind Emperor Palpatine's return in Star Wars Episode 9, but several fans believe that the villain found a way to become immortal. Some have pointed out that a scene from Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith hinted at Palpatine revealing he knows the secret to immortality and convincing Anakin Skywalker to become his apprentice. Part of this is true considering that Anakin agreed to join the Dark Side of the Force to save his wife Padme Amidala from certain death. However, there is a possibility that Sheev wanted more than just a mere apprentice.
A Star Wars comic book somehow revealed that Palpatine had plans for Anakin Skywalker even before the latter was born. In Darth Vader #25, Vader had several visions, one of which included his mother, Shmi Skywalker. As Vader watches, Palpatine appears behind the pregnant Shmi and appears to be using Sith sorcery to imbue dark energy into her womb. Although the vision is not fully explained, many believe that the Emperor chose the baby, who was created by the Force, to become his true apprentice and future host body.
The ways of the Sith is truly steeped in dark sorcery, and there is little doubt that Palpatine was capable of doing several unnatural things. It is believed that Palpatine made the baby strong in the Force so he could grow to become a Jedi before joining the Sith through the Emperor's influence. Sheev then groomed Anakin so he could eventually possess his apprentice's body and thus achieve immortality. Unfortunately, things didn't work out as planned because Darth Vader chose to save his son in Return of the Jedi.
So how could this work for Palpatine? The theory suggests that the villain had transferred his essence into an object that might be discovered by Kylo Ren in Star Wars Episode 9. Once Kylo finds it, the Emperor may then transfer his soul into Kylo's body, allowing him to possess someone from the Skywalker bloodline.
Will Palpatine achieve immortality? Find out when Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker premieres on December 20.
