Will Ian McDiarmid Return As Palpatine In Star Wars: Episode VII?

Will Ian McDiarmid return as Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars: Episode VII? We really have no idea, but there hasn’t been a really excellent Star Wars rumor for a few days now and we’re getting worried about the rumor mill. This latest rumor comes to us courtesy of Jedi News (via Comic Book Movie) and has all the reliability that we come to expect from a rumor about Star Wars Episode VII.

Here is what the original report from Jedi News said about Ian McDiarmid’s possible return:

The specifics of the role are unclear. But it seems likely that McDiarmid will be returning to his signature role of Palpatine. Whether as the original [Palpatine] or a clone of, we are yet to discern.

Right, so that sounds like they’re pretty convinced that McDiarmid will be back. My understanding is that Palpatine did indeed return via clones in the Star Wars Expanded Universe, so it is not as far-fetched an idea as it sounds. As yet we’re not certain if Star Wars: Episode VII is going to adhere to the Expanded Universe models, or even really where we’re going to pick up in the story. But apparently the return of Palpatine is very much on the table.

Ian McDiarmid has expressed his desire to return to the part and believes that the character ‘has a future’ in the franchise. You mean, the dude that Darth Vader totally killed at the end of Return of the Jedi has a future? Oh, for God’s sake.

I call shenanigans. If they’re going to start bringing back old evil villains, I’m out. Palpatine is dead as far as I’m concerned and I want a brand new evil villain to despise for the next three episodes. But you know what? I won’t be surprised if they bring back Old Pasty-Face. I really won’t.

Remember though, this is just a rumor, as is mostly everything surrounding Star Wars: Episode VII (beyond the fact that it definitely exists and will be coming at us in 2015).

What do you think of Ian McDiarmid returning as Emperor Palpatine? Good idea? Let us know in the comments.