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Palpatine is a fictional character in George Lucas's science fiction saga Star Wars. He was introduced in the films Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977) Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983) as the Emperor. Palpatine appears in the prequel trilogy as a middle-aged politician in the Galactic Republic who rises to power through deception and treachery. The character is featured in the animated miniseries Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003–2005) and in Star Wars literature. Scottish actor Ian McDiarmid portrays the character in the Star Wars feature films.

Palpatine is the foremost villain in Star Wars fiction. Born on the planet Naboo in 82 BBY,[1] he is a key politician in the Republic. Unbeknownst to the public and Senate, he is also Darth Sidious, a powerful Sith Lord who practices the dark side of the Force. He initiates and manipulates the Clone Wars to destroy the Jedi and create the totalitarian Galactic Empire.

Lucas' original scripts for Star Wars characterized Palpatine as a cunning but weak politician under the control of powerful bureaucrats. However, in Return of the Jedi, the prequels, and Star Wars literature, the character is depicted as the personification of evil. Palpatine was incorporated into the Star Wars merchandising campaigns that corresponded with the theatrical release of Return of the Jedi and the prequel films.

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Appearances

Palpatine is a major character in Star Wars fiction. He appears in all of the Star Wars films except A New Hope, and is featured in the Clone Wars miniseries. The character has a recurring role in Expanded Universe novels and comics, where his background and influence in the Star Wars galaxy outside the films are explained.

Star Wars films

Original trilogy

The Emperor, the name Palpatine was not mentioned in any of the original Star Wars film trilogy, was first mentioned in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977) but his first appearance on film is in the second installment of the original Star Wars trilogy, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980), directed by Irvin Kershner. Lucas and Kershner depict the Emperor as an ancient-looking man with a pale face. "He is one of the most interesting characters of the films." one fan stated. As Darth Vader (David Prowse/James Earl Jones) and the Imperial fleet pursue the Millennium Falcon after the Battle of Hoth, Vader is notified that the Emperor is attempting to contact him. A holographic image appears of the Emperor, and tells him that "there is a great disturbance in the Force." This refers to Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), the "offspring of Anakin Skywalker." The Emperor believes that the young Rebel could destroy the Sith: "The Force is strong with him. The son of Skywalker must not become a Jedi." Vader convinces the Emperor that if Luke turns to the dark side, he would become a powerful ally. [2]

The Emperor's second film appearance was in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983), the final episode of the original Star Wars trilogy, directed by Richard Marquand. The Emperor arrives on the second Death Star, in orbit around the forest moon of Endor, to oversee the final stages of its construction. Vader senses Luke's presence on Endor, and alerts his master. The Emperor convinces Vader that "only together can we turn him to the dark side of the Force", while Luke believes he can turn Vader (whom he has recently learned is his father) away from the dark side. Luke surrenders to Imperial forces on Endor, and Vader delivers him to the Emperor. The Emperor attempts to convert him to the dark side by persuading him to deliver the deathblow to Vader after the young Jedi defeats his father in a lightsaber duel. Luke ultimately refuses, and the Emperor attacks him with Force lightning. Vader, horrified at seeing his son about to die, suddenly turns on the Emperor and throws him down an energy reactor shaft, killing him, and fulfilling his role in the Jedi prophecy.[3]

Prequel trilogy

Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) in The Phantom Menace

In his 1999 prequel film Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Lucas introduced Palpatine as a senator representing the planet Naboo. Set 32 years before A New Hope, the film explains that the Trade Federation blockades and invades Naboo, forcing its queen, Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman), to flee to the galactic capital of Coruscant to receive counsel from the senator. He persuades her to make a motion in the Galactic Senate to have Chancellor Finis Valorum (Terence Stamp) removed from office. Once this is accomplished, Palpatine is elected in his place. As the mysterious Darth Sidious (an alter ego not truly revealed until the third episode, although strongly hinted at in the first two prequels), Palpatine secretly manipulates the Trade Federation in order to set up his rise to power. He sends his apprentice, Darth Maul (Ray Park), to Naboo to oversee the invasion and find the queen. The invasion, however, is thwarted by Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor). Qui-Gon and Darth Maul are killed in a lightsaber duel; after Qui-Gon's funeral, Palpatine meets Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), a nine-year-old slave believed to be the "Chosen One" destined to bring balance to the Force. Palpatine tells the boy, "We'll be watching your career with great interest."[4]

Lucas gave Palpatine a minor role in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002), set 22 years before A New Hope, but the character's actions are consequential. The galaxy is on the verge of civil war, with several thousand planets seceding from the Republic to form the Confederacy of Independent Systems, also known as the Separatists. They are led by former Jedi Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) — Darth Sidious' new apprentice. After Obi-Wan Kenobi discovers a secret battle droid factory on the Separatist planet Geonosis, Palpatine uses the situation to have himself granted emergency powers. Palpatine feigns reluctance in taking this decidedly undemocratic course of action, and promises to return his powers once the Clone Wars have ended. His first act is to create a Grand Army of the Republic to counter the Separatist threat. At the same time, he recommends that Senator Padmé Amidala be placed under the protection of Obi-Wan and his padawan Anakin (Hayden Christensen) following a failed assassination attempt. Anakin and Padmé eventually fall in love, and marry at the end of the film.[5]

Palpatine's final feature film appearance is in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005). He is captured by Separatist commander General Grievous (Matthew Wood) during the Battle of Coruscant. Palpatine is rescued by Obi-Wan and Anakin, but not before the Jedi confront Count Dooku; Anakin decapitates the helpless Sith Lord during the lightsaber duel at Palpatine's urging. The Chancellor has by this point become very powerful and, due to his emergency powers, remained in office long after his term expired. The Jedi Council is troubled by Palpatine's power and fears he will not relinquish it when the Clone Wars end. Palpatine raises their suspicions further by interfering in Jedi affairs; he requests that Anakin be placed on the Council as his personal representative. He and Anakin have become close friends over the years, and the Council wants to use the relationship to spy on the Chancellor. Uneasy about deceiving his friend, Anakin reveals the Jedi's plan to Palpatine, who tells him that the Jedi are afraid to give up their power. Palpatine then recounts to Anakin the story of Darth Plagueis the Wise, a powerful Sith Lord who was able to create life and stop death, but was killed by his apprentice (later revealed to be Darth Sidious). Palpatine knows that Anakin has been having visions of his wife, Padmé, dying in childbirth, and uses this story to further tempt the young Jedi toward the dark side. [6]

Palpatine eventually tells Anakin that he is the Sith Lord the Jedi have been searching for, and tempts Anakin with promises of unlimited power — including the power to save Padmé from the impending death he claims to have foreseen. Anakin informs Jedi Master Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) that Palpatine is a Sith Lord. When Windu and three other Jedi masters attempt to arrest Palpatine, the Chancellor pulls a lightsaber from under his sleeve and quickly dispatches Windu's fellow Jedi. Windu fights and (apparently) overpowers the Sith Lord. Anakin arrives just in time to see Palpatine at Windu's mercy. Palpatine uses Force-lightning on Windu, but Windu blocks it with his lightsaber, reflecting it back onto Palpatine. Weakened, Palpatine's face contorts until his appearance is that of a wizened old crone. The facade is gone. Anakin pleads for Palpatine's life, but Windu insists that the Sith be executed on the spot. Anakin then intervenes and cuts off Windu's hand, leaving him at Palpatine's mercy. Palpatine then blasts Windu with another torrent of Force lightning, throwing him out a nearby window. Anakin becomes Palpatine's new apprentice, Darth Vader, and is sent to destroy the Jedi Temple and the Separatist leaders at Mustafar.

Palpatine initiates Order 66, which instructs the Republic's clone troopers to kill their Jedi generals. He then announces to the Senate that the Jedi were planning to overthrow the Republic, and declares himself Galactic Emperor. However, Jedi Master Yoda (Frank Oz) survives Order 66 and confronts Palpatine in his Senate office. In a climactic duel, both combatants are blown from a Senate pod, and Yoda falls several hundred feet. The Jedi Master is forced to flee, while Sidious clings to a railing. Obi-Wan, meanwhile, goes to Mustafar to confront Darth Vader.

Sensing his apprentice is in trouble, Palpatine travels to the volcanic planet, where he finds Vader near death, having lost his left arm and both legs and suffered life-threatening burns after the battle with Obi-Wan. He returns to Coruscant with Vader and revives him in the iconic black life support suit and cyborg limbs first seen in A New Hope. He then tells Vader of Padmé's death, and that "it seems, in your anger, you killed her." As intended, this half-truth breaks whatever remains of Anakin Skywalker's spirit, and binds him firmly to the Empire. Palpatine is last seen examining the first Death Star in its early stages of construction, alongside Darth Vader.[6]

Clone Wars miniseries

Palpatine is a central character in Genndy Tartakovsky's Star Wars: Clone Wars, an animated miniseries set between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith that aired on Cartoon Network from 2003 to 2005. Palpatine and Darth Sidious are voiced by Nick Jameson.[7] In the series, Palpatine is busy on Coruscant running the government and Darth Sidious appears as a hologram giving orders to Count Dooku, General Grievous, and other Separatist leaders. The character is based on Ian McDiarmid's likeness in The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones.

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Palpatine in the Star Wars: Clone Wars miniseries

In the first chapter, Obi-Wan informs Palpatine that the Jedi have discovered that the InterGalactic Banking Clan has established battle droid factories on the planet Muunilinst. Palpatine agrees to send a strike force that includes Obi-Wan and Anakin, but Palpatine suggests that Anakin be given "special command" of Obi-Wan's fighters. Yoda and Obi-Wan initially speak against it, but reluctantly concede to the Chancellor.[8] In another chapter, Darth Sidious appears to Count Dooku as a holographic image shortly after Dooku trains Asajj Ventress, a Force-sensitive female alien adept in the dark side. Sidious orders her to track down and kill Anakin Skywalker. He remarks to Count Dooku that her failure is certain, but the point of her mission is to test Anakin.[9]

Chapter 22 features the training of General Grievous by Count Dooku. Darth Sidious appears as a hologram and orders Grievous to begin the special mission: an assault on the galactic capital.[10] The Separatist invasion of Coruscant begins in the next episode, and Palpatine watches from his Senate office window. He is protected by Jedi Shaak Ti, Roron Corobb, and Foul Moudama. Grievous breaks through the Chancellor's window and kidnaps him.[11] Roron and Foul are killed by Grievous as Palpatine is taken to the Invisible Hand, Grievous's flagship.[12][13]

Star Wars literature

Star Wars Expanded Universe literature elaborates on Palpatine's role in Star Wars fiction outside of the Star Wars films. The first mention of Palpatine in Star Wars literature is in Alan Dean Foster's [14] novelization of the script of A New Hope, published as Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker (1976).[15] Palpatine's first major appearance in the Expanded Universe was in 1991 and 1992 with the Dark Empire series of comic books written by Tom Veitch and illustrated by Cam Kennedy. In the series, set six years after Return of the Jedi, Palpatine is resurrected as the Emperor Reborn or Palpatine the Undying. His spirit returns from the netherworld of the Force with the aid of Sith Lord ghosts on Korriban and possesses the body of Jeng Droga, one of Palpatine's elite spies and assassins known as the Emperor's Hands. Droga flees to a secret Imperial base on the planet Byss, where the Emperor's advisor Sate Pestage exorcises Palpatine's spirit and channels it into one of many clones created by Palpatine before his death. Palpatine attempts to resume control of the galaxy, but his plans are sabotaged by now Jedi Master Luke Skywalker. He manages to destroy most of Palpatine's cloning tanks, but is only able to defeat the Emperor with the aid of Princess Leia.[16]

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The clone Palpatine, as depicted in the Dark Empire series by Tom Veitch and Cam Kennedy

The fate of Palpatine is further chronicled in the Dark Empire II and Empire's End series of comics. The Dark Empire II series, published from 1994 to 1995, details how the Emperor is once again reborn on Byss into a clone body. Palpatine tries to rebuild the Empire as the Rebel Alliance grows weak.[17] In Empire's End (1995), a traitorous Imperial guard bribes Palpatine's cloning supervisor to tamper with the Emperor's stored DNA samples. This causes the clones to deteriorate at a rapid rate. Palpatine attempts to possess the body of Anakin Solo, the infant son of Han Solo and Princess Leia, before the clone body dies, but is thwarted by Luke Skywalker and other Jedi. Palpatine is killed by a blaster shot fired by Han. His spirit is captured by a wounded Jedi named Empatojayos Brand who uses his remaining strength to prevent Palpatine's spirit from escaping. When Brand dies, he takes Palpatine's spirit to the netherworld with him.[18]

Novels and comics published before 1999 focus on Palpatine's role as Galactic Emperor. Shadows of the Empire (1996) by Steve Perry and The Mandalorian Armor (1998) by K. W. Jeter—all set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi—show how Palpatine uses crime lords such as Prince Xizor and bounty hunters like Boba Fett to fight his enemies.[19][20] Barbara Hambly's novel Children of the Jedi (1995), set eight years after Return of the Jedi, features a woman named Roganda Ismaren who claims that Palpatine fathered her son Irek, although this turned out to be a lie.[21] The Jedi Prince series of novels introduces an insane, three-eyed mutant named Triclops as Palpatine's true son.[22]

Beginning in 1999 with Terry Brooks's novelization of The Phantom Menace, Star Wars writers chronicled the role of Palpatine prior to A New Hope as a politician and Sith Lord. The comic "Marked" by Rob Williams, printed in Star Wars Tales 24 (2005), and Michael Reaves's novel Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter (2001) explain Darth Sidious's relationship with his apprentice Darth Maul.[23][24] Cloak of Deception (2001) by James Luceno follows Reaves' novel and details how Darth Sidious encourages the Trade Federation to build an army of battle droids in preparation for the invasion of Naboo. Cloak of Deception also reveals how he becomes a confidante of Chancellor Finis Valorum and acquainted with Padmé Amidala, newly elected queen of Naboo.[25] Palpatine's role during the Clone Wars as Chancellor and Darth Sidious is explained in novels such as Matthew Stover's Shatterpoint (2003), Steven Barnes' The Cestus Deception (2004), Sean Stewart's Yoda: Dark Rendezvous (2004), and Luceno's Labyrinth of Evil (2005).

Following the theatrical release of Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars literature focused on the role of Palpatine after the creation of the Empire. John Ostrander's comic Star Wars Republic 78: Loyalties (2005) chronicles how Emperor Palpatine sends Darth Vader to assassinate Sagoro Autem, an Imperial captain who wants nothing to do with the new government and plans to defect.[26] In Luceno's novel Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader (2005), the Emperor sends Darth Vader to the planet Murkhana to discover why clone troopers there refused to carry out Order 66 against their Jedi generals. Palpatine hopes these early missions will teach Vader what it means to be a Sith and crush any remnants of Anakin Skywalker.[27]

Characteristics

In Star Wars fiction, Palpatine is described as a manipulative and ambitious politician, a powerful emperor, and an evil Sith Lord. Palpatine had great patience and his maneuverings were as a dejarik grandmaster moved pieces on a board; [28] he was a diabolical genius [29] and self-proclaimed savior.[30] Stephen J. Sansweet's Star Wars Encyclopedia calls him "evil incarnate".[31] In A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, Darth Vader is depicted as the ultimate Star Wars villain, but as critic James Berardinelli notes, "With the arrival of the Emperor (a gaunt-looking Ian McDiarmid) [in Return of the Jedi], Vader has turned into a second fiddle."[32] Darth Vader himself reminds Moff Jerjerrod, "The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am."[3]

As a Senator, Palpatine is portrayed as "unassuming yet ambitious".[33] According to James Luceno, he carefully guards his privacy and "others found his reclusiveness intriguing, as if he led a secret life."[34] Despite this, Palpatine has many allies in the government. Luceno writes, "What Palpatine lacked in charisma, he made up for in candor, and it was that directness that had led to his widespread appeal in the senate. ... For in his heart he judged the universe on his own terms, with a clear sense of right and wrong."[34] In Terry Brooks's novelization of The Phantom Menace, Senator Palpatine claims to embrace democratic principles. He tells Queen Amidala, "I promise, Your Majesty, if I am elected [Chancellor], I will restore democracy to the Republic. I will put an end to the corruption that has plagued the Senate."[35]

As Emperor, Palpatine abandons any semblance of democracy. Sansweet states, "His Empire ... was based on tyranny, hatred of nonhumans, brutal and lethal force, and, above all else, constant fear."[31] During the Clone Wars, Count Dooku anticipates the coming of the new government: "A government clean, pure, direct: none of the messy scramble for the favor of ignorant rabble and subhuman creatures that made up the Republic he so despised. The government he would serve would be Authority personified. Human authority."[36] The Emperor enforces his will through clandestine, Force-sensitive agents known as the Emperor's Hands. The Star Wars Encyclopedia calls them "the Emperor's eyes and ears throughout the galaxy" who "communicate with him ... through the Force." Prominent Hands include Mara Jade, Palpatine's mistress Roganda Ismaren, the blind, hate filled lightsabre master Jerec, and the enigmatic Lady Lumiya. Though they were powerful dark side users, they had no training in the ways of the Sith (except Lumiya, Vader's apprentice), and as such had only contempt and jealousy for Lord Vader. Vader disliked them in turn, and strove to remain Palpatine's favourite disciple, often succesfully.[37]

The apprentice of Darth Plagueis,[38] Palpatine is "the most powerful practitioner of the Sith ways in modern times."[39] The comic "Sithisis" by Derek Thompson, printed in Star Wars: Visionaries (2005), reveals the extent of Darth Sidious's power as he performs a terrifying Sith ritual that manipulates people and places across the galaxy.[40] Palpatine is so powerful that he is able to mask his true identity from the Jedi. In Shatterpoint, Mace Windu remarks to Yoda, "A shame [Palpatine] can't touch the Force. He might have been a fine Jedi."[41] In the Revenge of the Sith novelisation, Palpatine is described as "a black hole in the Force."[42]

The Databank explains that the Force "granted him inhuman dexterity and speed, agility enough to quickly kill three Jedi Masters" in seconds.[33] Palpatine is a master lightsaber combatant and skilled at using Force lightning to attack his opponents.[33] Stover elaborates on the duel between Palpatine and Yoda: "From the shadow of a black wing, a small weapon ... slid into a withered hand and spat a flame-colored blade[.] When the blades met it was more than Yoda against Palpatine, more the millennia of Sith against the legions of Jedi; this was the expression of the fundamental conflict of the universe itself. Light against dark. Winner take all."[43] During the duel, Yoda realizes, "He had lost before he started."[44]

Thompson's "Sithisis" comic suggests that Palpatine is able to mask his appearance through the Force,[40] but other Star Wars sources point to his constant use of the dark side of the Force for disfiguring his body.[39] In Shadows of the Empire, Prince Xizor comments, "He looks like a walking corpse ... Like a mummified body dead a thousand years. Amazing he is still alive, much less the most powerful man in the galaxy. He isn't even that old; it is more as if something is slowly eating him."[45]

Concept and creation

George Lucas's conceptualization of Palpatine and the role the character plays in Star Wars changed over time. Palpatine became the ultimate personification of evil in Star Wars, supplanting Darth Vader as the main villain. The character was portrayed by both Ian McDiarmid, and an uncredited elderly woman, in the Star Wars films.

Character creation

In Lucas's early draft scripts of Star Wars, the Emperor was identified as named Cos Dashit.[46] In one version of A New Hope he rules from the Imperial throne world of Alderaan,[46] while in a draft of Return of the Jedi the throne world is called Had Abbadon.[47] When the original Star Wars trilogy was filmed, the Emperor was unnamed and the throne world unidentified. Lucas's original conception of Palpatine was of a cunning but weak politician elevated into office and controlled by bureaucrats. It was not clear if Palpatine could use the Force. In the prologue of the 1976 A New Hope novelization, Foster (ghost-writing for Lucas) writes that the Republic "rotted from within though the danger was not visible from the outside." He explains,

Aided and abetted by restless, power-hungry individuals within the government, and the massive organs of commerce, the ambitious Senator Palpatine caused himself to be elected President of the Republic. He promised to reunite the disaffected among the people and to restore the remembered glory of the Republic. Once secure in office he declared himself Emperor, shutting himself away from the populace. Soon he was controlled by the very assistants and boot-lickers he had appointed to high office, and the cries of the people for justice did not reach his ears.[15]

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Concept artwork of the Emperor for Return of the Jedi depicts a powerful figure adept in the dark side of the Force

The initial descriptions of Palpatine were replaced in Return of the Jedi by a powerful, dictatorial ruler adept in the dark side of the Force. The Emperor was inspired by the villain Ming the Merciless from the Flash Gordon comic books.[48] George Lucas explained in an interview that he also patterned Palpatine's seizure of power after those of several historical figures, including Napoleon Bonaparte, Augustus Caesar, Richard Nixon, and Adolf Hitler. Lucas said, "The whole point of the movies, the underlying element that makes the movies work, is that you, whether you go backwards or forwards, you start out in a democracy, and democracy turns into a dictatorship, and then the rebels make it back into a democracy."[49]

Film historian Laurent Bouzereau reports that Lucas and Leigh Brackett decided that "the Emperor and the Force had to be the two main concerns in the [Empire Strikes Back]; the Emperor had barely been dealt with in the first movie, and the intention in the sequel was to deal with him on a more concrete level."[50] Instead, Lucas decided to feature the Emperor in Return of the Jedi.

Lucas wanted to establish the Emperor as the true puppet master in Star Wars. Script writer Lawrence Kasdan noted, "My sense of the relationship [between Darth Vader and the Emperor] is that the Emperor is more powerful ... and that Vader is intimidated by him. Vader has dignity, but the Emperor in Jedi really has all the power." [51] He explained that the climax of the film is a confrontation between Darth Vader and his master. In the first scene that shows the Emperor, he arrives at the Death Star and is greeted by a host of stormtroopers, technicians, and other personnel. Lucas states he wanted it to look like the military parades on "May Day in Russia".[52]

Palpatine's role in The Phantom Menace is to explain "how Anakin Skywalker came to be [Palpatine's] apprentice" and the events that lead to his rise to power.[53] The true identity of Darth Sidious — the phantom menace — is left a mystery. His relationship to Palpatine is not clear. Film critic Jonathan L. Bowen remarks, "Debates raged on the Internet concerning the relationship between Darth Sidious and Senator Palpatine. Most fans believed the two characters are actually the same person with logic seeming to support their conclusion." Bowen notes that the debate was fueled by the fact that "suspiciously Darth Sidious does not appear in the credits."[54]

Ian McDiarmid

When the Emperor appeared on film for the first time in The Empire Strikes Back, he was portrayed by Ellis Orlino, an old woman in prosthetic make-up. Chimpanzee eyes were superimposed into darkened eye sockets during post-production "in order to create a truly unsettling image". The character was voiced by Clive Revill.[46] In the 2004 DVD release of The Empire Strikes Back Special Edition, the old woman was replaced by Ian McDiarmid and the dialogue between the Emperor and Darth Vader was revised. During production of Revenge of the Sith, George Lucas decided to shoot new footage for Empire Strikes Back to preserve continuity between the prequels and original trilogy.[55]

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The original Emperor in The Empire Strikes Back was portrayed by an unnamed actress and voiced by Clive Revill. The actress and Revill's dialogue were replaced by Ian McDiarmid in the Special Edition DVD.

Lucas and Return of the Jedi director Richard Marquand cast Scottish Shakespearean actor Ian McDiarmid to play Emperor Palpatine. He was in his mid-30s and had never played a leading role in a feature film, but he had made minor appearances in films like Dragonslayer (1981). Despite his inexperience with motion pictures, McDiarmid "create[d] a modern day icon of cinematic evil." After Return of the Jedi, he resumed stage acting in London.[56]

In an interview with BackStage, McDiarmid revealed that he "never had his sights set on a film career and never even auditioned for the role of Palpatine." He elaborated, "I got called in for the interview after a Return of the Jedi casting director saw me perform in the Sam Shepard play Seduced at a studio theatre at the Royal Court. I was playing a dying Howard Hughes[.]"[57]

McDiarmid was surprised when Lucas approached him 16 years after Return of the Jedi to reprise the role of Palpatine. In an interview, he stated, "When we were doing Return of the Jedi there was a rumor that George Lucas had nine films in his head, and he'd clearly just completed three of them." McDiarmid added, "Someone said that, 'Oh, I think what he might do next is go back in time, and show how Vader came to be.' It never occurred to me in a million years that I would be involved in that, because I thought, 'oh well, then he'll get a much younger actor [to play Palpatine].' That would be obvious." However, "I was the right age, ironically, for the first prequel when it was made... So I was in the very strange and rather wonderful paradox of playing myself when young at my own age, having played myself previously when 100-and-I-don't-know-what."[58]

Recalling the initial days of shooting The Phantom Menace, McDiarmid stated, "Stepping onto the set of Episode I for the first time was like going back in time, due to my experience in Jedi. Palpatine's an interesting character; he's conventional on the outside, but demonic on the inside — he's on the edge, trying to go beyond what's possible."[59] McDiarmid added another layer to the character in Attack of the Clones. He noted, "[Palpatine] is a supreme actor. He has to be even more convincing than somebody who isn't behaving in a schizophrenic fashion, so he's extra charming, or extra professional—and for those who are looking for clues, that's almost where you can see them." McDiarmid illuminated on the scene where Padmé Amidala is almost assassinated:

"There's a moment in one scene of the new film where tears almost appear in his eye. These are crocodile tears, but for all those in the movie, and perhaps watching the movie itself, they'll see he is apparently moved — and of course, he is. He can just do it. He can, as it were, turn it on. And I suppose for him, it's also a bit of a turn-on — the pure exercise of power is what he's all about. That's the only thing he's interested in and the only thing that can satisfy him — which makes him completely fascinating to play, because it is an evil soul. He is more evil than the devil. At least Satan fell — he has a history, and it's one of revenge."[60]

In Revenge of the Sith, McDiarmid had to play a darker interpretation of the character. He explained that "[w]hen you're playing a character of solid blackness, that in itself is very interesting, in the sense that you have no other motivation other than the accumulation of power. It's not so much about not having a moral center, it's just that the only thing that mattered is increasing power." He admitted, "I've been trying to find a redeeming feature to Palpatine, and the only one I've got so far is that he's clearly a patron of the arts because he goes to the opera."[61] McDiarmid compared the character to Iago from Shakespeare's tragedy Othello:

Everything he does is an act of pure hypocrisy, and that's interesting to play. I suppose it's rather like playing Iago. All the characters in the play — including Othello until the end — think that "Honest Iago" is a decent guy doing his job, and he's quite liked. But at the same time there's a tremendous evil subconscious in operation.[56]

McDiarmid noticed that the script for Revenge of the Sith demanded more action from his character than in previous films. Lightsaber combat was a challenge to the 60-year-old actor, who took fencing lessons much like the other actors. The close-up shots of the duel between Palpatine and Mace Windu were performed by McDiarmid.[62] Advanced fencing and acrobatic stunts were executed by McDiarmid's doubles, Michael Byrne, Sebastian Dickins, and Bob Bowles.[63]

McDiarmid's performance as Palpatine was generally well-received by critics. Todd McCarthy of Variety commented, "Entertaining from start to finish and even enthralling at times, 'Sith' has some acting worth writing home about, specifically McDiarmid's dominant turn as the mastermind of the evil empire."[64]

Make-up and costumes

Ian McDiarmid required little make-up in The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, he recalled, "I'm ... slightly aged [in Attack of the Clones]. In the last film, I had a fairly standard make-up on, but now, they're starting to crinkle my face."[65] Transforming McDiarmid into Emperor Palpatine in Return of the Jedi and Revenge of the Sith, however, required extensive make-up. McDiarmid remarked in an interview with Star Wars Insider magazine, "Yes — that was a four-hour job, initially, although we got it down to about two-and-a-half in the end. But this was just a little bit of latex here and there, a little bit of skin-scrunching."[65] He told the Homing Beacon newsletter, "When my face changes in the film, my mind went back to the early silent movie of The Phantom of the Opera with Lon Chaney."[61] Film critic Roger Ebert wrote that he "looks uncannily like Death in The Seventh Seal" (1957)[66] and film historian Robin Wood compares him to the witch from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937).[67]

Palpatine's wardrobe, tailored by costume designer Trisha Biggar, played an important part in the development of the character throughout the films. In Attack of the Clones, explained McDiarmid, "The costumes ... have got much more edge to them, I think, than the mere Senator had [in The Phantom Menace]. So we see the trappings of power."[65] In the next episode, McDiarmid remarked, "To wear the costumes as the character I play is wonderfully empowering."[68] McDiarmid's favorite costume in Revenge of the Sith was a high-collared jacket that resembles snake or lizard skin. He stated that "it just feels reptilian, which is exactly right for [Palpatine]." According to Trisha Biggar, Palpatine's costumes proved the most daunting challenge. She said, "His six costumes get progressively darker and more ornately decorated throughout the movie. He wears grays and browns, almost going to black, taking him toward the dark side."[68]

With the premiere of Return of Jedi and the prequel films and the accompanying merchandising campaign, Palpatine became an icon in American popular culture. Kenner/Hasbro produced and marketed a series of action figures of the character from 1983 to 2005.[69] According to John Shelton Lawrence and Robert Jewett, "These action figures allow children ('4 & up') to handle the symbols of the Force."[70]

Palpatine has also been compared to Pope Benedict XVI because of his similar appearance. Because of this, the Pope has been nicknamed "Darth Benedict," "Emperor Popeatine," or "Pope Sidious" by fans who follow internet memes. Images of him performing force lightning have become increasingly common. At least one picture of him in front of a Nazi flag has been created.

Palpatine in mass media

Palpatine's role in popular culture extends beyond the Star Wars universe and its fans. Since the release of Return of the Jedi, Palpatine has become synonymous in American mass media with evil, deception, manipulation, and power.[71] The character is utilized as a literary device—either as a simile or metaphor—to emphasize these traits. For example, one of the characters from Orland Outland's novel Every Man for Himself (1999) is described as "rubbing his hands together in imitation of the emperor in Return of the Jedi." He says, "Everything is happening exactly as I have foreseen!"[72]

File:Karl Rove Cartoon.JPG
Parody of Bush advisor Karl Rove as Palpatine in the television series American Dad!

In film and television, Palpatine's likeness is similarly used as a parody. Comedy series such as The Simpsons,[73] South Park,[74] American Dad!,[75] and Family Guy[76] have employed Palpatine's image to satirize characters and public figures. For instance, in the South Park episode "Best Friends Forever" that aired March 30, 2005, Satan sends his boyfriend Kevin, a parody of Emperor Palpatine, to secretly manipulate the Republican-controlled Congress into opposing euthanasia to prevent a character from dying and going to Heaven.[74] Similarly, "Deacon Stan, Jesus Man," an episode of American Dad! portrays George W. Bush's senior advisor Karl Rove as Palpatine from Revenge of the Sith. Stan, the main character, uses Rove to help him become a deacon at his church through deceit.[75] The Drawn Together episode "Wooldoor Sockbat's Giggle-Wiggle Funny Tickle Non-Traditional Progressive Multicultural Roundtable!", meanwhile, portrays the leader of the U.S. Senate as resembling Palpatine, calling him "Senator Sith Lord" and showing him firing Force lightning at Ted Kennedy.

Since Return of the Jedi and the prequels, Palpatine's name has been invoked as a caricature in politics. The liberal website BuzzFlash remarked in 2004, "When we saw ... [Senator] Zell Miller [of Georgia] giving his invective at the RNC, we knew it reminded us of someone. We just couldn't place it until we realized it was the hate in Zell's eyes, his skin and the way it looks like that hate is eating his soul. Then we remembered: he reminded us of the evil Emperor Palpatine from Star Wars. (We didn't know the Emperor had a name until this morning.)"[77] A Seattle Post-Intelligencer editorial noted that anti-pork bloggers were caricaturing West Virginia senator Robert Byrd as "the Emperor Palpatine of pork" with Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska having "clear aspirations to be his Darth Vader." The charge followed a report that linked a secret hold on the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 to the two senators.[78] On some websites, such as Fark, it has been noted that Pope Benedict XVI bears a striking resemblance to Emperor Palpatine. There have been many Photoshops that poke fun at this fact, sometimes labeled "Emperor Popeatine".

Shortly after the release of Revenge of the Sith, a Fox News editorial stated, "No cultural icon can exist without someone trying to stuff it into a political ideology. The Star Wars saga, the greatest pop culture icon of the last three decades, is no exception." It continues, "Palpatine's dissolution of the Senate in favor of imperial rule has been compared to Julius Caesar's marginalization of the Roman Senate, Hitler's power-grab as chancellor, and Franklin D. Roosevelt's court-packing scheme and creation of the imperial presidency."[79]

Since the election of Pope Benedict XVI, an internet phenomenon has emerged of pictures of Benedict performing sith lightning, with pictures of Sidious next to him or referred to as "Sidious 1". At least one also exists of Benedict standing in front of what is clearly a Nazi flag.

Notes

  1. ^ According to Leland Chee, Database Content Administrator at Lucas Licensing; see Tasty Taste [Chee], "Major Character Birth Years," September 13, 2005, at StarWars.com Blogs; last accessed August 17, 2006.
  2. ^ Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Special Edition (DVD, 20th Century Fox, 2004), disc 1.
  3. ^ a b Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, Special Edition (DVD, 20th Century Fox, 2004), disc 1.
  4. ^ Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (DVD, 20th Century Fox, 1999), disc 1.
  5. ^ Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (DVD, 20th Century Fox, 2002), disc 1.
  6. ^ a b Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (DVD, 20th Century Fox, 2005), disc 1.
  7. ^ Star Wars: Clone Wars, at the Internet Movie Database; last accessed September 3, 2006.
  8. ^ Chapter 1, Star Wars: Clone Wars, episode 101, aired November 7, 2003.
  9. ^ Chapter 7, Star Wars: Clone Wars, episode 107, aired November 17, 2003.
  10. ^ Chapter 22, Star Wars: Clone Wars, episode 202, aired March 22, 2005.
  11. ^ Chapter 23, Star Wars: Clone Wars, episode 203, aired March 23, 2005.
  12. ^ Chapter 24, Star Wars: Clone Wars, episode 204, aired March 24, 2005.
  13. ^ Chapter 25, Star Wars: Clone Wars, episode 205, aired March 25, 2005.
  14. ^ Novels, Novelizations, and Collections, at AlanDeanFoster.com; last accessed August 27, 2006.
  15. ^ a b George Lucas [Alan Dean Foster], Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker (paperback; New York: Del Rey, 1976), p. 1, ISBN 0-345-26079-1.
  16. ^ Tom Veitch, Dark Empire anthology (Dark Horse Comics, 1993), ISBN 1-56971-073-2.
  17. ^ Tom Veitch, Dark Empire II anthology (Dark Horse Comics, 1995), ISBN 1-56971-119-4.
  18. ^ Tom Veitch, Empire's End anthology (Dark Horse Comics, 1997), ISBN 1-56971-306-5.
  19. ^ Steve Perry, Shadows of the Empire (New York: Bantam Spectra, 1996), ISBN 0-553-57413-2.
  20. ^ K. W. Jeter, The Mandalorian Armor (paperback; New York: Bantam Spectra, 1998), p. 144, ISBN 0-553-57885-5.
  21. ^ Barbara Hambly, Children of the Jedi (paperback; New York: Bantam Spectra, 1996), ISBN 0-553-57293-8.
  22. ^ Paul and Hollace Davids, Mission from Mount Yoda (New York: Scholastic, 1993), ISBN 0-553-15890-2.
  23. ^ Rob Williams, "Marked," in Star Wars Tales 24 (Dark Horse Comics, July 2005).
  24. ^ Michael Reaves, Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter (paperback; New York: Del Rey, 2001), ISBN 0-345-43541-9.
  25. ^ James Luceno, Cloak of Deception (paperback; New York: Del Rey, 2001), ISBN 0-345-44297-0.
  26. ^ John Ostrander, Star Wars Republic 78: Loyalties (Dark Horse Comics, October 2005).
  27. ^ James Luceno, Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader (New York: Del Rey, 2005), ISBN 0-345-47733-2.
  28. ^ The New Essential Guide to Characters, 1st edition, 2002. Daniel Wallace, Michael Sutfin, ISBN 0-345-44900-2
  29. ^ Revised Core Rulebook (Star Wars Roleplaying Game), 1st edition, 2002. Bill Slavicsek, Andy Collins, J.D. Wiker, Steve Sansweet, ISBN 0-7869-2876-X
  30. ^ The Visual Dictionary of Star Wars, Episode III Revenge of the Sith, 2005. James Luceno, ISBN 0-7566-1128-8
  31. ^ a b "Palpatine, Emperor," in Stephen J. Sansweet, Star Wars Encyclopedia (New York: Del Rey, 1998), p. 224, ISBN 0-345-40227-8
  32. ^ James Berardinelli, review of Return of the Jedi, at ReelViews; last accessed August 17, 2006.
  33. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference PalpatineDatabank was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  34. ^ a b Luceno, Cloak of Deception, p. 124.
  35. ^ Terry Brooks, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (paperback; New York: Del Rey, 1999), p. 238-239, ISBN 0-345-43411-0.
  36. ^ Matthew Stover, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (paperback; New York: Del Rey, 2005), p. 52, ISBN 0-345-42884-6.
  37. ^ "Emperor's Hand," in Sansweet, Star Wars Encyclopedia, p. 89.
  38. ^ Darth Sidious, at the Star Wars Databank; last accessed August 17, 2006.
  39. ^ a b Palpatine, Expanded Universe, at the Star Wars Databank; last accessed August 17, 2006.
  40. ^ a b Derek Thompson, "Sithisis," in Star Wars: Visionaries (Dark Horse Comics, March 2005), ISBN 1-59307-311-9.
  41. ^ Matthew Stover, Shatterpoint (paperback; New York: Del Rey, 2003), p. 10, ISBN 0-345-45574-6
  42. ^ Matthew Stover, Revenge of the Sith (hardcover; New York: Del Rey, 2005), p. ?, ISBN 0-345-42883-8
  43. ^ Stover, Revenge of the Sith, p. 424.
  44. ^ Stover, Revenge of the Sith, p. 426.
  45. ^ Perry, Shadows of the Empire, p. 1.
  46. ^ a b c Palpatine, Behind the Scenes, at the Star Wars Databank; last accessed August 17, 2006.
  47. ^ Laurent Bouzereau, Star Wars: The Annotated Screenplays (New York: Del Rey, 1997), p. 236, ISBN 0-345-40981-7.
  48. ^ Dale Pollock, Skywalking: The Life and Films of George Lucas (New York: Da Capo Press, 1999), p. 142, ISBN 0-306-80904-4.
  49. ^ George Lucas, interview with Debbie Dykstra, at SciFi.com; last accessed August 17, 2006.
  50. ^ Bouzereau, Annotated Screenplays, p. 173.
  51. ^ Lawrence Kasdan, quoted in Bouzereau, Annotated Screenplays, p. 265.
  52. ^ George Lucas, commentary, Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, Special Edition (DVD, 20th Century Fox, 2004), disc 1.
  53. ^ Jonathan L. Bowen, Anticipation: The Real Life Story of Star Wars: Episode I-The Phantom Menace (Lincoln, Neb.: iUniverse, 2005), p. 4, ISBN 0-595-34732-0.
  54. ^ Bowen, Anticipation, pp. 93-94.
  55. ^ Douglas Hyde, "Five major changes in the 'Star Wars' DVD," September 23, 2004, at CNN; last accessed August 17, 2006.
  56. ^ a b "The Man of Mystery," in "Ian McDiarmid: Dark Force Rising," at StarWars.com; last accessed August 17, 2006.
  57. ^ Simi Horwitz, "The Emperor's New Role" , BackStage, May 25, 2006, available here; last accessed September 5, 2006.
  58. ^ "Palpatine Speaks," in Homing Beacon 134, April 14, 2005, at StarWars.com; last accessed August 17, 2006.
  59. ^ "Actors and Characters - Part II," in "Star Wars Episode I: Production Notes," at StarWars.com; last accessed August 17, 2006.
  60. ^ "The Exercise of Power," in "Ian McDiarmid: Dark Force Rising," at StarWars.com; last accessed August 17, 2006.
  61. ^ a b "Palpatine's Point of View," in Homing Beacon 137, May 26, 2005, StarWars.com; last accessed August 17, 2006.
  62. ^ "Becoming Sidious," Web Documentary, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Bonus Materials (DVD, 20th Century Fox, 2005), disc 2; also available at StarWars.com; last accessed August 17, 2006.
  63. ^ Cast and Crew of Revenge of the Sith, at StarWars.com; last accessed August 17, 2006.
  64. ^ Todd McCarthy, review of Revenge of the Sith, Variety, available here; last accessed August 17, 2006.
  65. ^ a b c "A Return in Episode II," in "Ian McDiarmid: Dark Force Rising," at StarWars.com; last accessed August 17, 2006.
  66. ^ Roger Ebert, review of Return of the Jedi, Special Edition, in Chicago Sun-Times, March 14, 1997, available here; last accessed August 17, 2006.
  67. ^ Robin Wood, Hollywood from Vietnam to Reagan ... and Beyond: A Revised and Expanded Edition of the Classic Text (New York: Columbia University Press, 2003), p. 154, ISBN 0-231-12966-1.
  68. ^ a b "Crafting Revenge", in "An Introduction to Episode III," at StarWars.com; last accessed August 17, 2006.
  69. ^ Geoffrey T Carlton, Star Wars Super Collector's Wish Book: Identification & Values (Paducah, Ky.: Collector Books, 2003), passim, ISBN 1-57432-334-2.
  70. ^ John Shelton Lawrence and Robert Jewett, The Myth of the American Superhero (Cambridge: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2002), p. 266, ISBN 0-8028-4911-3.
  71. ^ Koenraad Kuiper, "Star Wars: An Imperial Myth," Journal of Popular Culture 21 (No. 4, Spring 1988): p. 81.
  72. ^ Orland Outland, Every Man for Himself (New York: Kensington Books, 1999), p. 188, ISBN 1-57566-553-0; The Emperor actually tells Darth Vader in Return of the Jedi: "Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen it."
  73. ^ "Hungry, Hungry Homer," The Simpsons, episode 262, aired March 4, 2001.
  74. ^ a b "Best Friends Forever," South Park, episode 129, aired March 30, 2005.
  75. ^ a b "Deacon Stan, Jesus Man," American Dad!, episode 7, aired June 19, 2005.
  76. ^ "The Cleveland-Loretta Quagmire," Family Guy, episode 55, aired June 12, 2005.
  77. ^ "Is Zell Miller the Evil Emperor from Star Wars?," September 2, 2004, at BuzzFlash; last accessed August 17, 2006.
  78. ^ "Open Government: Pork protection," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, September 1, 2006, available here; last accessed September 5, 2006.
  79. ^ Thomas A. Firey, "Star Wars Saga Reflects Political Ideals," May 22, 2005, at Fox News; last accessed August 17, 2006.

Further reading

  • Anderson, Kevin J., and Daniel Wallace. The Essential Chronology. New York: Del Rey, 2000. ISBN 0-345-43439-0.
  • Bortolin, Matthew. The Dharma of Star Wars. Somerville, Mass.: Wisdom Publications, 2005. ISBN 0-86171-497-0.
  • Feeney, Mark. Nixon at the Movies: A Book about Belief. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2004. ISBN 0-226-23968-3.
  • Hanson, Michael J., and Max S. Kay. Star Wars: The New Myth. Philadelphia: Xlibris, 2002. ISBN 1-4010-3989-8.
  • Horne, Michael Allen. Dark Empire Sourcebook. Honesdale, Penn.: West End Games, 1993. ISBN 0-87431-194-2.
  • Jensen, Hans, and Richard Chasemore. Star Wars: Complete Locations. New York: DK Publishing, 2005. ISBN 0-7566-1419-8.
  • Luceno, James. Revenge of the Sith: The Visual Dictionary. New York: DK Publishing, 2005. ISBN 0-7566-1128-8.
  • Lyden, John. "The Apocalyptic Cosmology of Star Wars." Journal of Religion and Film 4 (No. 1, April 2000): online.
  • Peña, Abel G. "Evil Never Dies: The Sith Dynasties." Star Wars Insider 88 (June 2006).
  • Reynolds, David West. Episode I: The Visual Dictionary New York: DK Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-7894-4701-0.
  • Reynolds, David West. Star Wars: Attack of the Clones: The Visual Dictionary. New York: DK Publishing, 2002. ISBN 0-7894-8588-5.
  • Smith, Jeffrey A. "Hollywood Theology: The Commodification of Religion in Twentieth-Century Films." Religion and American Culture 11 (No. 2, Summer 2001): pp. 191-231.
  • Velasco, Raymond L. A Guide to the Star Wars Universe. New York: Del Rey, 1984. ISBN 0-345-31920-6.
  • Wallace, Daniel. The New Essential Guide to Characters. New York: Del Rey, 2002. ISBN 0-345-44900-2.
  • Wallace, Daniel, and Kevin J. Anderson. The New Essential Chronology. New York: Del Rey, 2005. ISBN 0-345-44901-0.
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