The moment fans heard that ominous laugh from trailer #1, we knew that everyone was going to have an opinion about it. Since then, J.J. Abrams has confirmed that Emperor Palpatine will be making his grand return in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, though he hasn't explained how. As we wait for the movie to come out, there has been some debate as to whether Palpatine should even be brought back since there is a section of fans who feel that bringing him in is a bit too nostalgia baiting.
Speaking with Empire (via CinemaBlend), Abrams has defended the move, claiming that all nine of these movies are like nine related books that are part of the same universe. Abrams is claiming that the films, like most books, build off each other and there was enough set up from other movies to justify Palpatine's return. Hopefully, it doesn't feel too forced and adds some drama to the flick.
Here are Abrams' full comments:
Some people feel like we shouldn't revisit the idea of Palatine, and I completely understand that. But if you're looking at the nine films as one story, I don't know many books where the last few chapters have nothing to do with those that have come before. If you look at the first eight films, all the set-ups of what we're in IX are there in plain view.
Abrams is free to use Palpatine but fans are within their right to criticize the move since it does feel like pandering to older followers, especially those that hated The Last Jedi. Still, depending on how the lore is used, this could end up being a piece of magnificent news in hindsight but we'll have to wait and see.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will be coming out on December 20.
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Star Wars: Episode IX