Seven Ways Star Wars Canon Could Explain How Palpatine is in Rise of the Skywalker

Is Emperor Palpatine still alive?

Palpatine was the evil mind behind the rise of the Empire.

From manipulating Anakin Skywalker and killing countless Jedi, to creating a whole war and enslaving the Wookies of Kashyyyk (which may be the worst thing of all), the Emperor is the biggest villain ever within the world of Star Wars.

Whether it’s the prequels, original trilogy, canon comics and novels, or the Extended Universe, one thing has never changed: Palpatine’s ability to manipulate all around him, and even the Force itself. Now it appears that Rise of Skywalker will add to the Emperor’s story, which is definitely a surprising move considering he was thrown down the Death Star’s reactor in Return of the Jedi.

But the Star Wars galaxy is large, and full of untold mysteries. Palpatine himself was intent on searching the Unknown Regions of the galaxy, despite the dangers, and managed to plot a route for the Empire to explore. So, just like the Emperor, we’ll be plotting a route through the Star Wars canon to examine seven different ways that Palpatine could still be alive (or at least, be present) within The Rise of Skywalker.

Rey and Palpatine’s connection to Jakku

Much of the Aftermath trilogy, written by Chuck Wendig, follows the events after Return of the Jedi which lead to The Force Awakens. Valco Pandion, who declared himself as Grand Moff after the death of Palpatine, aimed to unify the different splinter organisations that had become of the Empire, and join them together. Despite not being Force sensitive Valco was highly interested in Force artifacts, especially those of The Emperor.

This interest lead Valco to Jakku, where Palpatine had a secret base set up, one made as a ‘contingency plan’. When examining the range of artifacts in this base he is confronted, and there is an eventual Force explosion due to these artifacts being destroyed (no one really noticed as the Battle of Jakku was taking place during the same time).

Interestingly a type of “Force wave” is described just after this explosion. Rey, living on Jakku as a young girl at this point, could have been impacted by this. Could this be the cause of Rey’s Force powers? If so, maybe there is a Force connection between the two?

Plus, in the extended universe, there were examples of the Emperor having different partners. Could Palpatine actually be Rey’s grandparent, or parent? Surely it’s not just a coincidence that Palpatine often visited Jakku, even setting up a base there, and then Rey discovers she is Force sensitive years later?

Palpatine’s Lost Force Artifacts

As stated in the first reason, Force artifacts are incredibly powerful items. The Knights of Ren (who are Dark Side sympathisers) sought out these items for their own use. With Kylo Ren lacking a Master it’s his time to become the one in charge, which means he could well seek out a Knight of Ren to mentor. Perhaps this Knight of Ren has an old Force artifact from Palpatine that creates a vision?

The Rise of Skywalker trailer also shows off part of the deserted Death Star. With Palpatine dying on the spacestation, it could even be Rey who finds an old artifact that used to belong to Palpatine. This could create a Force connection between the two, meaning that The Emperor could still communicate with those who have these artifacts.

Snoke was a Force Vessel

In the extended universe, Palpatine was shown to have the power to control others with his Force power. This isn’t something that has been done within Star Wars canon, but it could well be something that is added to the latest trilogy, which could explain why Snoke died with little to no significance, and why we were told little about him.

In the novelisation of The Last Jedi, written by Jason Fry (it’s unclear whether this is actually canon or not), it confirms that Snoke was from the Unknown Regions, which ties in to the ending of the Aftermath Trilogy where the Empire (what is left of it) travel through a safe passage (discovered by Palpatine) to an unexplored area.

If Snoke was placed in charge of the Empire in the Unknown Regions then it’s highly possible that he came into contact with a Force artifact of Palpatine’s and became manipulated by it. It’s even possible that Palpatine had the power to take control of Snoke, and train the new Empire.

Force Projections and Force Ghosts

George Lucas showed the possibility to transcend death as early as A New Hope when Obi-Wan gives Luke advice after getting struck down by Darth Vader. This has happened countless times since, and most recently with Yoda in The Last Jedi. Certainly death is not the end for powerful Force sensitive beings. With Kylo Ren lacking a Master, perhaps The Emperor returns to guide Ren?

The Last Jedi also introduces the idea of Force Projections, showing how Luke Skywalker could confront Ren. With this in mind it’s not impossible that Palpatine could also do this, but change the appearance of the projection. Maybe Snoke was a Force projection all along?

Non-Sentient Beings

Star Wars Battlefront 2 showed that Palpatine could still influence the Empire despite his death. The Emperor was able to transfer himself into the droids (despite not being sentient) so that Palpatine’s vision could still exist.

It’s possible that more of these beings exist in the Galaxy. And with Rey being from Jakku (which may be where she was at the start of the Rise of Skywalker trailer) she could find another one. It would also be a fantastic find for a Knight of Ren, which may also link to how Palpatine’s influence is still being felt after his death.

Darth Plagueis

Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise? I thought not. It’s not a story Disney wouldn’t tell you. Despite being referenced within Revenge of the Sith the novel is actually not canon. But that doesn’t mean that the story isn’t valid.

If Palpatine’s former Master, Plagueis, was able to teach Palpatine his power to escape death, then The Emperor could actually still be alive. Considering that Darth Maul survived being chopped in half and falling from a great height, then it’s not unfathomable that the Emperor survived, and is still at large in Rise of Skywalker.

Memories and visions

One of the most intriguing parts to Force Awakens was when Rey had a vision after touching the lightsaber. Sadly, as “this is a story for another time”, The Last Jedi did not build on this. When touching Luke Skywalker’s old lightsaber she sees a vision, and hears barely audible dialogue, but subtitles and the novelisation reveal that lines from previous movies were repeated, with Palpatine’s voice included.

Palpatine’s line being used in The Force Awakens perhaps indicates that his laughter in the trailer for Rise of Skywalker could be another flashback, one initiated by a Force artifact perhaps? Maybe Palpatine is actually dead, and not present in Rise of Skywalker except from another vision?