‘Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker’ BTS Photos Offer New Look At Ian McDiarmid’s Palpatine

Two brand new behind-the-scenes photo from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker give us a fresh look at Ian McDiarmid’s Palpatine.

One of the most interesting choices made in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was bringing back Ian McDiarmid’s Palpatine and setting him up as quintessential villain for the space opera franchise. While the final film in the Skywalker saga wasn’t met with the greatest of responses from fans and critics alike, Ian McDiarmid’s performance as Palpatine was a highlight, despite many questioning the purpose of his character’s return.

Ian McDiarmid’s Palpatine was considerably aged by virtue of him appearing almost 30 years later canonically. Two new behind-the-scenes photos show us just how complex Ian McDiarmid’s look as Palpatine was in decent lighting. In the film, Palpatine’s scenes were primarily set in the dark, so it was particularly hard to get a clear look at the Emperor.

In the photos, you can see the hard work that went into recreating Palpatine’s iconic look, as well as the work that went into making Ian McDiarmid look considerably aged. In the film, the Palpatine we see is actually a clone of the original Emperor, which is why the character’s look is just a bit different. Once you take into account the 30 year-ish gap between Return of the Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, it’s hard not to imagine the clone physically deteriorating as well.

Did you like Ian McDiarmid’s performance as Palpatine in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker? Comment below and let us know!

Here is the official synopsis for the final film in the Skywalker saga:

Lucasfilm and director J. J. Abrams join forces once again to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the riveting conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, where new legends will be born and the final battle for freedom is yet to come.

Directed by J. J. Abrams,  Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker stars Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, Billie Lourd, Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant, Keri Russell, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Ian McDiarmid, and Billy Dee Williams. Carrie Fisher appeared as General Leia Organa through the use of previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is now on Digital HD.

Source: Imgur