Star Wars: Panel canceled with Hayden Christensen and Ian McDiarmid fueling speculation

A recent panel cancellation with Hayden Christensen and Ian McDiarmid has stoked the fires that an Anakin Skywalker return will happen in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

At FanX in Salt Lake City, there was supposed to be a Star Wars-themed panel with Hayden Christensen and Ian McDiarmind — Anakin and the Emperor.

Supposedly, the panel was canceled by Disney, according to ComicBook.com, which sparked plenty of speculation. Ian McDiarmid is supposed to be reprising his role as the Emperor in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. His image has already appeared on the latest poster for the movie.

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While many fans have wondered if Anakin Skywalker would appear in the movie, there haven’t been any leaks or legit rumors saying Hayden would appear in the film.

Yet, the cancellation makes us take a pause.

It’s not as though the Episode IX stars haven’t been answering questions and going on media interviews. Oscar Isaac and Daisy Ridley have both been on media tours for new movies they were promoting within the last couple of months.

They were all on the red carpet at D23 answering — mostly deflecting — question after question about The Rise of Skywalker.

Ian McDiarmid and Hayden Christensen were both at Star Wars Celebration in April, but we only found out at Celerbation of the Emperor’s involvement of the final movie in the Skywalker Saga.

So, what now? Why would Disney want this panel canceled if there was nothing more thantwo actors who are linked speaking on a panel? That’s the question everyone is wondering.

Speculation is also rampant that Hayden may appear in the final movie now. Force ghosts will return — at least Luke Skywalker — but there are other characters that are dead in the series that are rumored to return as ghosts.

Considering it’s the Skywalker Saga and it was Anakin/Darth Vader’s story before the sequel trilogy, why couldn’t Hayden Christensen appear in it.

Thanks to Disney for adding smoke to the speculation fires.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker premieres December 20.