Something that my comrades on the LOS FANBOYS Podcast and I have lamented about, with regard to the upcoming film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, is how familiar the the story being told feels. While it has an intriguing new point of view, focusing on a band of non-Jedi rebel fighters, and is more of a war movie, there’s lots of stuff in there that’s very well-trodden. From a plot that focuses on the Death Star, to appearances by Darth Vader, Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, and perhaps another familiar face or two, there’s definitely a sense of “been there done that” that’s a little unfortunate for a film that was originally sold to us as a “standalone” movie.

So what about the Emperor? Will Palpatine factor into Rogue One, since it takes place when he is at the height of his powers after Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith? It’s a fairly safe assumption to make, since we know Vader will be in the film, and the Emperor is the man who pulls the Sith Lord’s strings. But you know what happens when you assume…

According to Ian McDiarmid, who has played the character throughout his cinematic history, we will not be seeing Emperor Palpatine in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Simply put, McDiarmid told XGN, “I don’t feature in [Rogue One] myself.” He’s aware of the film, and he says Star Wars: The Force Awakens filled him with nostalgia, but that- despite the Emperor looming large during the period covered in Rogue One– he will not be in the movie. He did mention that Vader will be there, so we know he’ll be doing the Emperor’s bidding, but it would appear that the hooded figure will remain in the shadows. 

Sounds fine to me. How about you? Were you hoping to see Emperor Palpatine in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story?

SOURCE: XGN