'Palpatine's Logic Was Entirely Reasonable' — Ian McDiarmid Responds to the Emperor's Divisive Return in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

"Somehow, Palpatine returned" sparked a wave of nostalgia and frustration among fans after Emperor Palpatine’s death in *The Rise of the Jedi*. Ian McDiarmid, who played Palpatine for decades, defended his approach to the character’s comeback in an interview, calling it "reasonable" with Plan B in place. He enjoyed the idea of a more powerful return but ultimately saw this version as fatally wounded and irrelevant. Meanwhile, fans are divided on whether Palpatine’s return signals the end of the line for the Sith, leaving the future of *Star Wars* uncertain.