Ian McDiarmid Reveals Secrets Behind Palpatine’s Evil Turn and Star Wars Backlash

Darth Vader might the face of the Empire in the “Star Wars” saga — but even he has a boss.

The Emperor, a character integral to the “Star Wars” franchise, has been part of its storyline since his initial appearance in “A New Hope”. His surprising return in “The Rise of Skywalker” was both unexpected and contentious. However, it’s the 2005 prequel finale “Revenge of the Sith“, currently re-released in theaters and commemorating its 20th anniversary on May 19, that marks a significant turning point in his character. This film serves as a pivotal moment between his portrayed benevolent image and his darker, sinister true identity. Incredibly, Scottish actor Ian McDiarmid has played this role for an impressive 42 years, making it one of the longest acting tenures in “Star Wars” history, alongside Anthony Daniels as C-3P0.

To celebrate the anniversary of “Revenge of the Sith”, McDiarmid recently spoke with EbMaster from his London apartment about the turning point for his character and the development of his arc after being cast as a replacement for late voice actor Clive Revill in “Return of the Jedi” in 1983. During their conversation, McDiarmid delved into the mindset of a character whose kindness hides a cunning manipulator, as well as the creative instructions given by George Lucas during the original trilogy. He also touched upon the difficulties and complexities of portraying the Emperor at multiple ages, both in terms of continuity and within the storyline. Lastly, McDiarmid shared his thoughts on the impact – not just on screen, but also on his own life – of playing one of cinema’s most iconic villains.

“Revenge of the Sith” marked Palpatine’s true heel turn. Was it more fun playing his duality and manipulation or finally leaning into that unambiguous evil?

Engaging in the manipulation was always enjoyable. However, there was more for me in “Revenge of the Sith” – I had increased screen time and more interactions with Hayden [Christensen] – which made it more fulfilling. Additionally, I was unaware that Palpatine would possess a weapon, so discovering his skill with a lightsaber was intriguing. To acknowledge my stunt double’s performance accurately, I must say it was captivating to see how well he wielded the saber.

How carefully mapped out was Palpatine’s arc when you were first re-hired to play him in “The Phantom Menace”?

The role wasn’t clearly defined at all when I first received it. To be honest, I had no clue about the world I was supposed to rule as the Emperor when I got the part. It all began as an intriguing enigma. I didn’t know that Palpatine would play such a significant role in the story. However, at that point, I happened to be young enough to portray the younger Senator. When I first discussed it with George, he asked, “Do you know anyone who wants to play an Emperor?” To which I replied, “I believe you already have your answer.” Upon receiving the script, I understood that he was not just one character, which made playing him even more captivating — a seemingly ordinary, everyday politician with a monster lurking within.

Was there an early mention of the character that clued you in on what you wanted to focus on in your performance?

To clarify, let me rephrase: In 1982, during a quick lunch conversation with George, I was casually told by my representative that I could potentially become the ruler of the universe. At that time, I suspected George held significant influence. As I pondered over how he might have ascended to power, I also found it seemingly unrelated since I had passed away. However, as I continued to consider it, I came to admire it as a remarkable creation of George’s… It became increasingly clear that George intended for his story to be more than just an exciting tale for children.

In playing the character later on, was there a sort of reverse-engineering of his decrepitude?

In my case, I was around fifty when I first portrayed Palpatine, but it wasn’t so much about him aging since he underwent a dramatic transformation both physically and mentally during that time. The process of his corruption, not the actual aging, was more significant. It was similar to Dr. Jekyll transforming into Mr. Hyde. Although my body is starting to show signs of age now, my mind remains as sharp as ever, much like Palpatine’s hyperactive mind.

This is a character who can turn on emotion when needed. What reality are you playing as an actor to be able to tap into those feelings?

To put it simply, this individual is a master of deception, both in his words and actions. He’s a skilled performer who appears genuine but is driven solely by the pursuit of unchecked power. His ambition for control is remarkable, and if you consider those with significant power or influence, it often seems that wealth and dominance over others are their primary goals. However, this person stands out as unique in this regard, as he has a history rooted in manipulation and darkness, much like the Sith from Star Wars lore. Although I’m not entirely sure what being a Sith entails, it represents a very different character than most people. He presents himself as human, but his true nature is far removed from that – he embodies evil, reveling in it and scorning those who don’t share the same inclination towards darkness.

George Lucas’ dialogue is famous for being a little bit stiff. But I feel like that formality serves Palpatine.

While I acknowledge its fairness, there was a good deal of sarcasm hidden within it. To be precise, it appears he held the term ‘friend’ in low regard, viewing it as a symbol of vulnerability. Thus, when it came to using that word, I found myself adding a touch of scorn to my delivery.

Anakin obviously experienced a lot of trauma in his past. How much of Palpatine’s work manipulating him was aided by that trauma?

In a nutshell, Palpatine recognizes the potential for ambition within Anakin and nurtures it. When Anakin pleads with him to save Padme’s life, Palpatine subtly hints that help won’t come from the Jedi way. Essentially, he’s telling Anakin that he must abandon everything he believes in as a Jedi, embrace darkness completely, or he will be useless – not just to me, but also to himself. This manipulation is quite impressive and reaches its peak during the opera scene for me. Palpatine offers Anakin a place in his world, positioning him as his right-hand man. As Palpatine grows weaker physically, Vader will gain strength.

The fight with Mace Windu where Palpatine reveals his true form offered you a great opportunity for scenery chewing. What sort of collaboration did you have with George to modulate the intensity of that moment?

Initially, I felt I’d overstepped significantly, but George reassured me, “No, no, you can push even further.” This is when the character transforms into something accessible, and he is overwhelmed with joy because he can shed his hypocritical mask. During the filming of “The Phantom Menace,” George advised me, “Consider your face as an exoskeleton” – implying that I was a creation, and beneath it lay the genuine individual. This was beneficial, as accepting that my own face and voice were fabricated helped immensely.

I also rewatched “Return of the Jedi.” The way your character sits in that is kind of funny; he’s got this heavy slouch on the throne. Were there any performance details like that that you brought back for the prequels to plant a seed of what was to come?

To put it in my own words as a movie enthusiast, I don’t follow the traditional “method” acting approach. Instead, the words on the script resonate deeply within me and shape my performance. For instance, when another actor was unable to portray the Emperor in “The Empire Strikes Back,” Mary Selway, our casting director, confidently told George Lucas that I could convincingly portray an older character, having witnessed my performance as the elderly Howard Hughes (Henry Hackamore) in Sam Shepard’s play “Seduced.” At 38 years old, I had already played several characters far older than myself, and when I saw the makeup and cane for this role, I knew I needed to embody a frail, decrepit character. However, despite my physical appearance, there was an extraordinary, indomitable power within me that eclipsed every other character in the “Star Wars” universe.

You mentioned Clive Revill, who voiced the Emperor before you. He passed away not long ago.

I was very sorry to hear that.

Did you two ever cross paths?

I interacted with him on a few occasions. He was an exceptionally talented actor. It’s likely disheartening for him that he didn’t get to reprise his role. However, it should be noted that he never truly played the character in the first place. Instead, it was Marjorie Eaton wearing a mask and providing his voice.

In an intriguing turn of events, our director Richard Marquand presented me with a recording early on during “Return of the Jedi” production, saying, “If you can mimic Clive’s voice, George might allow you to keep it.” I didn’t realize I wouldn’t be able to use my own voice! I assumed if Clive knew about this creature and its appearance, he would behave similarly to what I was doing. Thus, I continued to speak in a manner similar to that; neither George nor Richard objected.

Later on, I found myself in a studio in London, meeting George and Kathleen Kennedy for the very first time, along with the legendary Steven Spielberg. As we began to re-record our lines, Spielberg looked at me and exclaimed, “Wow, you’re quite the villain!” Hearing that made me feel a sense of relief.

Was there a moment when you became convinced that you were done playing this character for the last time?

Indeed, I assumed he had perished. However, when I received a call to discuss the prequels, focusing on Sidious and more, I thought, “I’ve managed to dodge another bullet,” but this seemed to be the end for certain. Then, JJ Abrams contacted me with the news that he was returning. It was quite rewarding to be part of that again. And then to discover that I had a granddaughter plotting against me was quite delightful – especially since she was portrayed by Daisy Ridley.

Did anyone explain to you how this character had children in the first place?

In the course of our discussions, nothing was brought up regarding such matters. I had to figure it out on my own. In “The Phantom Menace,” there was mention of something called midichlorians, which played a role in Anakin’s birth. George Lucas didn’t want to delve too deeply into that topic. We speculated that it might have been like a virgin birth, although we didn’t want to say that because it could lead to complexities. People often ask an awkward question about whether this villainous character ever engaged in sexual activities. To be honest, we don’t know the answer to that question either. When considering his reproduction, one might imagine procedures using tubes, rather than conjuring up a disturbing mental image of this character having intimate relationships with anyone.

What were the things that you did know coming into “Rise of Skywalker”? What did you have to work out for yourself?

It appeared highly likely that Palpatine possessed a backup plan. Despite being severely injured, he could pull it off somehow. When I discovered I had an astral wheelchair, that made things even better. All I needed were four people to move me around the studio; let me tell you, it was incredibly enjoyable. Daisy was more concerned about this than anything else. And then, of course, we had to come up with another makeup design, which was even more gruesome than the last one.

There was, at some point, supposed to be a series based around Palpatine. Was any of that backstory shared with you as part of the character’s mythology?

The tale of Darth Plagueis the Wise is what I’m referring to. It’s quite clear that my character was responsible for his death as I climbed the ladder towards Palpatine. However, there wasn’t much conversation about it with George. He tends to just present scenes and leave it up to us to film them. Making these films is a lengthy process and there’s a lot of pressure involved for various reasons; naturally, George was deeply involved in all of that. So he had a lot on his mind every day. He pays close attention to casting decisions but once the actors are chosen, he prefers they get on with their roles without too much interference.

In the afternoon, we went to the opera scene, but my voice wasn’t at its peak. This was the time I spoke the most in the movie, feeling quite hoarse due to four wind machines blasting me during the monster transformation scene. It was late on a Friday afternoon and there were distractions like a birthday party for the first AD and Anthony Daniels preparing champagne nearby. To top it off, someone’s phone rang and they answered it, all happening just outside my field of view. Strangely enough, when under pressure, focus can become even sharper. It might have actually enhanced the scene.

There were some adverse reactions to “The Rise of Skywalker.” How did you feel about that backlash to bringing back the Emperor?

It seems there’s always some news or discussion, doesn’t it? Since I don’t delve into such matters nor am I active online, I’ll only learn about it if someone tells me. I had anticipated a bit of an uproar regarding his return. However, as I previously stated, my and Palpatine’s reasoning was sound. This man, who suffered grievous injuries, may have feared the same fate, and we needed a contingency plan. I found the concept of him returning and growing even more powerful than before intriguing. Yet, this time, he had to be completely annihilated. So, I believe he’s no longer alive.

For many of the actors in these huge franchises, it feels like the visibility that it gives them can be a double-edged sword. Has there, over the years, been a sort of reckoning over how helpful — or unhelpful — the role was in terms of people appreciating your versatility as an actor?

In the U.K., my fame primarily comes from theater acting and occasional film roles. To people here, each new role is another exciting part. However, being Scottish means I might receive a reality check if I get too arrogant. Mostly, folks are friendly and enjoyable company. Recently, I visited a restaurant in Scotland, asked for a table without reservation, and the host replied, “I never thought the universe’s emperor would drop by our restaurant.” That was quite amusing. It’s rather absurd.

I think it’s now been 42 years that you played this character.

Yes, I think you’re right.

In retrospect, what’s the characteristic that you unexpectedly share after playing him for so long?

I’ve often found it easier to portray profound anger than other aspects, which is what drives his character – an unsettling mix of rage and thirst for vengeance. However, I don’t personally possess such feelings, but I can empathize with them. My fascination has always been with power. It’s intriguing to me how those who amass significant wealth often seem to want more – to be wealthier or more influential than everyone else. This obsession seems to be a common goal for many people. And, in a way, this is something I could draw upon when portraying Palpatine, both in his younger and older forms.

I’ve been thinking through this entire conversation that in real life, the Emperor is younger than Han Solo. (McDiarmid was born in 1944; Harrison Ford was born in 1942.)

Experiencing this character has been an immense joy, which I owe to George. Being involved in the creation of the first epic film story is truly remarkable. As I mentioned before, it was sheer luck – an unexpected opportunity due to someone else’s unavailability. However, that’s often how life works.

Or maybe Palpatine’s abilities have translated to you and you were able to manipulate the universe to put yourself in the role?

That’s an interesting theory. Not one that can be tested, unfortunately.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

2025-04-26 20:51