Yesterday, the Star Wars Episode IX panel took place at Star Wars Celebration in Chicago. Following interviews with the cast, Kathleen Kennedy and director Abrams, the latter announced the teaser trailer would debut. And right at the end of the stunning footage, fans could hear Emperor Palpatine’s familiar evil laugh as Luke Skywalker uttered, “No one’s ever really gone.” Darth Sidious star Ian McDiarmid then appeared on stage and said, in Palpatine’s creepy voice, “Roll it again.”
The shocking return of Palpatine was later confirmed by Abrams to Empire’s James Dyer, who attended the panel.
Dyer tweeted: “In case there’s any lingering ambiguity from the trailer (and McDiarmid’s appearance at the panel!), I can 100% confirm that Palpatine is back in The Rise Of Skywalker as I just asked JJ.
“He’s thrilled - and slightly incredulous- that McDiarmid’s presence on set didn’t leak.”
McDiarmid shared the
