Star Wars: 9 questions we have for Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

LAS VEGAS – MAY 29: Actor Ian McDiarmid’s Emperor Palpatine character from the Star Wars series of films is shown on screen while musicians perform during “Star Wars: In Concert” at the Orleans Arena May 29, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The traveling production features a full symphony orchestra and choir playing music from all six of John Williams’ Star Wars scores synchronized with footage from the films displayed on a three-story-tall, HD LED screen. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Question 9: How is the Emperor making a comeback?

The most recent question on everyone’s mind is how does Emperor Palpatine play a role in Star Wars: Episode IX. Not many considered him to play a role in the final film of the Skywalker Saga because the last time we saw him seemed pretty dead.

However, when that voice cackled and actor Ian McDiarmid came out at Star Wars Celebration, the collective minds of Star Wars fans had blown.

It kind of makes sense to bring Palpatine back. He orchestrated the downfall of the Republic and rise of the Empire. He helped Anakin on his path to the dark side, and was the catalyst in Luke being able to turn his father.

But the story is not over. The Skywalker Saga continues for one more movie.

There are theories as to how the Emperor is back and why is a factor in Episode IX. One prevailing theory says Palpatine learned how to imbue his soul into inanimate objects as we have seen other characters do, most recently with Darth Momin in the Marvel comics.

Some even think Palpatine may have been possessed by Snoke and his soul went back to the Death Star when Snoke was killed.

We don’t know the true answer, but we are going to have fun guessing for the next several months.

All in all, Star Wars: Episode IX will conclude a 40-plus-year journey. One that will be filled with loads of questions, answers and perhaps twists we haven’t even thought of yet.

Star Wars: Episode IX premieres December 20 worldwide.