Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Obi-Wan Kenobi
Veteran actor Ian McDiarmid, who made a cameo as Palpatine in Obi-Wan Kenobi, apparently spoiled his return to the Star Wars franchise. Obi-Wan Kenobi‘s season finale features the return of two fan-favorite characters: Obi-Wan’s Jedi teacher Qui-Gon Jinn, reprised by Liam Neeson, and Ian McDiarmid’s Emperor Palpatine. Though cameos such as these are usually kept tightly under wraps, McDiarmid appears to have revealed the Sith lord’s involvement in an interview at the Imperial Commissary Collectors Convention.
Ian McDiarmid is best known for his role as Emperor Palpatine, appearing in every Star Wars film except for Star Wars: A New Hope, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi. In Obi-Wan Kenobi, Palpatine contributes a small, vital role to Vader’s development into the experienced villain seen later on in A New Hope. Vader is still very much in the learning phase and Emperor Palpatine’s cameo proves that he is not yet fully in charge.
While Palpatine’s cameo in Obi-Wan Kenobi may have been a surprise to most fans, some viewers may have been spoiled by the tease in a May 2022 interview with Ian McDiarmid. At the Imperial Commissary Collectors Convention, McDiarmid said, “There’s a certain show coming soon set right around the time I may have considered to be very active… Whether or not you will see my physical body, I cannot comment on. But you will certainly feel my presence” (via Star Wars News Net). Indeed, Emperor Palpatine is a force to be reckoned with during the events of Obi-Wan Kenobi, and though he isn’t on Mustafar physically, he is present in a hologram. As such, McDiarmid may have given the game away sooner than intended.
Despite this announcement in May, McDiarmid seemed to walk back his comments in a later appearance at Star Wars Celebration 2022. When asked about Palpatine in Obi-Wan Kenobi, McDiarmid said, “All I would say about future speculation is, if you’re expecting the Emperor to appear, soon in flesh and blood – don’t get your hopes up” (via YouTube). This could have also been a cheeky comment regarding his actual appearance in the Disney+ series. Many fans also thought this could be applied to Andor, which follows the adventures of Rebel Cassian Andor before the events of Rogue One.
At this time it is unknown if McDiarmid will reprise Palpatine in any other future Star Wars installments. It is entirely possible he could show up again, considering Andor will be set during the height of the Empire’s control. Ian McDiarmid has shown he is not giving up playing Palpatine any time soon, despite his comments suggesting otherwise. Only time will tell if the seasoned performer will show up again post-Obi-Wan Kenobi.
All episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi are available now on Disney+
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