We don’t know how, but the Emperor will be back in Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker. There have been brief teases of the saga’s big baddie throughout the Episode IX trailers so far – and now, in the latest in a string of TV spots, Emperor Palpatine speaks. We don’t see his face, but over the top of a series of fairly familiar shots comes the unmistakeable Ian McDiarmid in voiceover. Watch it below.
“This will be the final word,” he promises, “in the story of Skywalker.” Yeah, we know that Palps. Still, it’s spine-chilling to actually hear a snippet from the much-teased return of the original trilogy’s true villain. Not only that, but this new spot connects right back to the prequels too – there, underneath all that Palpatine chat, you can hear ‘Duel Of The Fates’, the iconic piece of Phantom Menace music that serves as one of the highlight’s of the oft-maligned 1999 instalment. Could that be a hint of more prequel influences in a sequel trilogy that has largely hewn closely to the feel of Episodes IV through VI?
We’ll find out when Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise Of Skywalker hits UK cinemas on 19 December. In the meantime, get a pure hit of Star Wars hype with the new issue of Empire.
Inside the mag, on sale now and available to order online here, you’ll find brand new images and insights from Episode IX, and all-new interviews with Sequel Trilogy stars Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Kelly Marie Tran, the legendary Anthony Daniels and Billy Dee Williams, franchise newcomers Naomi Ackie and Keri Russell, and writer-director J.J. Abrams and co-writer Chris Terrio. Plus, the issue also comes with a bonus Skywalker Saga magazine – the ultimate celebration of the nine-film epic, with fresh interviews, features, archival material, and more – and a Dark Rey art card, illustrated exclusively for Empire by Rory Kurtz.