2022 has already proven to be an exciting year for Star Wars fans with The Book Of Boba Fett digging into one of the franchises most beloved bounty hunters and setting up the upcoming season of The Mandalorian. Now, the next series set in a galaxy far, far away is one of the most highly anticipated: Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s plot has been kept close to the vest, but fans are eager to see Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen reprise their roles as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker aka Darth Vader, respectively, in what promises to be the “rematch of the century.” The series will also reportedly feature some intriguing flashbacks to before Anakin betrayed the Jedi order.
Obi-Wan and Anakin won’t be the only returning characters, Making Star Wars recently reported that Jimmy Smits will reprise his role as Bail Organa, the adoptive father of Leia Organa. Bail Organa was an important ally to Padme Amidala, Yoda, and Obi-Wan keeping their secrets after the Republic fell and the Empire rose to power. It has also been reported that Bail Organa’s wife Queen Breha Organa and their daughter Leia Organa will be a part of the series as well.
Now it seems another key Star Wars character could be making his return in the new series as well. In an interview with Weekend Extra (via Murphy’s Multiverse) last September Star Wars veteran Ian McDiarmid may have teased his character, the infamous Emperor Palpatine, possibly making a return in Obi-Wan Kenobi.
“I think I have to accept that, thanks to my ungrateful granddaughter, my annihilation was finally final. [But] Of course, [Darth] Vader is back in the new [Obi-Wan Kenobi] television series, so I suppose it’s not impossible that one day his mentor might be discovered once again skulking in the shadows”
HOW COULD EMPEROR PALPATINE PLAY INTO OBI-WAN KENOBI?
Palpatine met his end for a second time in The Rise Of Skywalker which the actor hilariously poked fun at in the interview. But with Obi-Wan Kenobi being set about ten years after Revenge Of The Sith this could be the perfect way for McDiarmid to return to a galaxy far, far away. There are a number of ways Emperor Palpatine could come into play in the new series, but the most obvious is his connection to Darth Vader. With Vader coming face to face with his old mentor having his new master in his ear could prove a compelling struggle especially if Obi-Wan is still trying to reach his former student and close friend.
The rumored Inquisitors could be another way to bring Palpatine into the series. Inquisitors, introduced in the animated series Star Wars: Rebels, are Dark Side Force wielders who serve the Empire under Darth Vader. Star Wars: The Clone Wars first teased Palpatine’s plans for Force wielding children as he tried to start this program before the fall of the Republic and Jedi order. Obi-Wan Kenobi could be an interesting way to dig deeper into the origins and lore of Inquisitors which could be another compelling way to bring Palpatine into the story.
Obi-Wan Kenobi is already primed to be a truly thrilling Star Wars adventure and if Palpatine does return it could prove to be even more explosive than fans are anticipating. Obi-Wan Kenobi is diving into a period of the Skywalker Saga that has been largely unexplored and remains a mystery. With fan favorites returning, elements of the animated series making the jump to live action, and a star studded cast this new series is sure to be a truly amazing new Star Wars adventure.
Obi-Wan Kenobi will debut on Disney Plus May 25, 2022. Are you excited for Obi-Wan Kenobi? Do you want to see Emperor Palpatine return in the new series? Which other Star Wars characters do you hope to see in Obi-Wan Kenobi? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or on our social media and check back with The Illuminerdi for more Star Wars and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Source: Weekend Extra (via Murphy’s Multiverse)
KEEP READING: STAR WARS LEGEND JOHN WILLIAMS RETURNS TO COMPOSE OBI-WAN KENOBI THEME
