Star Wars' Ian McDiarmid confirms that Palpatine did have sex
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Star Wars actor Ian McDiarmid has made a surprising revelation about his character Emperor Palpatine's personal life.
McDiarmid's Sith Lord villain made a surprise comeback in 2019's The Rise of Skywalker, having seemingly been killed in 1983's Return of the Jedi.
During an interview with Empire Magazine, McDiarmid was asked whether the reveal that Rey was his granddaughter meant that the all-powerful Emperor had a sex life.
"Please don't pursue that line too vigorously," he quipped. "But yes, he does [have sex]. It's a horrible idea to think of Palpatine having sex in any shape or form. But then, of course, perhaps he didn't."
In the Star Wars mythology, Rey's father Dathan was a 'strand-cast' clone of Palpatine as opposed to biological offspring – something which McDiarmid also addressed.
"Maybe it's all to do with midi-chlorians – and don't ask me what those are," he added.
"Never trust your granddaughter. That's the T-shirt Palpatine got made. Shortly after his death."
Elsewhere in his interview, the Sleepy Hollow star addressed the fact most Star Wars fans weren't happy with his big return.
"A lot of people said it was ridiculous. Of course, he was dead at the end of Return of the Jedi! And frankly, I think George [Lucas] thought he'd killed me too," McDiarmid said.
Related: Star Wars' Ian McDiarmid says Palpatine clone reveal was originally in Rise of Skywalker
"But JJ [Abrams, The Rise of Skywalker director] thought it would be a good idea – I wasn't going to argue with him.
"I felt that Palpatine always had a plan B – probably a plan C, D, E, and F as well. And he was an expert in cloning, so..."
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and the entire Skywalker Saga are available on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K now, as well as on Disney+.
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