Star Wars: A Young Palpatine Series Was Planned In The Past?

In a recent interview with Ian McDiarmid who plays The Emperor in Star Wars, a trade claims a young Palpatine series was planned in the past. McDiarmid has played Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars since 1983’s Return of the Jedi, when he was just a young man himself. McDiarmid’s final appearance (so far) was in The Rise of Skywalker. The veteran actor of stage and screen spoke with Variety about the role, and all it’s variations over the years. 

However, for all he had to say about getting the part, coming back, them coming back again, check the source article linked above. This article, is focused on a peculiar question which the trade asked him.

‘There was, at some point, supposed to be a series based around Palpatine. Was any of that backstory shared with you as part of the character’s mythology?’

Was there? Where and when was this supposed to happen? I’ve been an avid Star Wars fan all my life and been reporting on Star Wars rumors since 2016. There was never any plans for a Palpatine focused series that I am aware of. I mean, we had the start of this story perhaps told in The Acolyte. However, that was set long before Palpatine’s birth. Therefore, for a trade to state this to McDiarmid like its fact, is news to me at least.

RELATED: Dacre Montgomery Eyed For Role In Star Wars: Starfighter | Barside Buzz

McDiarmid (despite what you read on other headlines) does not confirm this in any way. He merely goes on to answer the second part of the double question. So bear that in mind when you read headlines saying ‘McDiarmid confirmed this was a planned series’. Here’s the full quote of his answer below. 

“Just the story of Darth Plagueis the Wise. It’s fairly obvious that my character murdered Plagueis on his road to becoming Palpatine. But beyond that, no. With George, you didn’t discuss anything really. You turn up and you shoot. These films take a long time to make and the pressure is intense for many reasons; of course, George was at the forefront of all of that. So he had all of that to think about day by day. He takes a good deal of trouble over casting; but, once he’s cast, then he likes the actors to get on with it.”

As you can see he’s answering the backstory question only here. To be fair, what the hell would McDiarmid know about any planned young Palpatine series anyway? It’s not like he’d be playing the part. 

Curious, but there you have it. So, as far as Variety are concerned a young Palpatine series was planned sometime in the past. For some reason they thought it a good idea to ask Ian McDiarmid about it, and he quite rightly ignored it.

What do you think, was a young Palpatine series planned, could it still happen, and would you want this? Thoughts below. 

The post Star Wars: A Young Palpatine Series Was Planned In The Past? appeared first on LRMonline.