As you’re likely well aware by now, the first trailer for Star Wars: Episode IX – or as it’s now officially known, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – is finally with us. And while the new footage is predictably short on plot details, the teaser did come packed with at least one bombshell.
We are, of course, referring to the return of Emperor Palpatine, whose distinctive laugh is heard in the final seconds of the preview. While we have virtually no idea how the biggest villain of the franchise is back in the fold, the fans are pretty ecstatic to have Ian McDiarmid reprise his role, and many have taken to Twitter to share their excitement:
*Hears Palpatine laugh at the end of the Star Wars teaser* pic.twitter.com/FVurAi0RW3
— Andrew Claudio (@Claudio_GSN) April 12, 2019
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. pic.twitter.com/qDzPQagXSW
— James Dyer (@jamescdyer) April 12, 2019
BRINGING PALPATINE BACK IS THE MOST GOD TIER THING STAR WARS HAS EVER DONE DO YOU REALIZE HOW WELL THIS IS GOING TO TIE EVERYTHING TOGETHER
— fïonn | PINNED ? (@0RS0NKRENNIC) April 12, 2019
EP 9 THEORY: palpatine and vader faked their deaths to get out of the inordinate space property taxes for building two (2) death stars
— eric van allen (@seamoosi) April 12, 2019
i really hope Palpatine rolls onto screen riding a third death star. he will not stop spending the empire's tax dollars until the galaxy quits making jokes about his PT Cruiser.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) April 12, 2019
Everyone: pAlPaTiNe Is GoNe
Palpatine in #EpisodeIX: pic.twitter.com/gY0mnnVCbp
— Sad Kylo Ren (@KyloIsSad) April 12, 2019
the last jedi: the past is dead
episode IX, sneaking palpatine thru the back door: lmao but guess who isn't
— moms against dio brando (@C0REZI) April 12, 2019
what if this whole time it was palpatine that was the darkness in bens head and not snoke, truly he was a curse to all three generations of the skywalker family
— lauren ✨ (@thumosren) April 12, 2019
rey, finn and poe : gee we sure are glad we defeated kylo ren and there's no more enemies from the dark si-
palpatine rising from the grave : pic.twitter.com/CYmbnLe4Jl
— ✦ sawyer @ star wars (@gummiphoned) April 12, 2019
Don’t get too excited. The Palpatine cackle at the end of the #EpisodeIX trailer is just Kylo Ren’s ringtone.
— Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) April 12, 2019
After keeping this reveal under wraps for so long, you can just picture the big grin on J.J. Abrams’ face as he watches the internet react. All this, and we’ve yet to see a single frame of McDiarmid wearing the hood once more.
While today’s trailer gave us a lot to process, the only other big reveal that came close to rivalling Palpatine’s return was surely the film’s official subtitle. The Rise of Skywalker is certainly a curious name that seems designed to get the fans speculating on who the “Skywalker” in question could be.
One theory that’s already emerged is that Kylo Ren might reconnect with his Jedi ancestry and turn back to light side. Alternatively, some fans suspect that Abrams may retcon the reveal of Rey’s parents, and decide that she’s a Skywalker after all. Then again, some are suggesting that “Skywalker” isn’t a person at all, but a new order that takes inspiration from Luke’s legacy and teachings. No doubt the speculation will continue right up until the day that Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters on December 20th.
