With rumors of various key cast members in consideration to return for Star Wars Episode VII, this is one that's quite unexpected: Ian McDiarmid is reportedly set to return to reprise his role as Emperor Palpatine.
Now, we've got what we suspect are the same questions as you regarding this. After all, Palpatine did die at the end of Return Of The Jedi. Even in the various re-edited versions. So, er, did he survive the fall? Or will this be a clone of the character? Perhaps flashback sequences? Time will tell.
No big casting announcements meanwhile landed at Disney's D23 Expo over the weekend, to the surprise of many. Given that production is set to start on Star Wars: Episode VII next year, we're expecting to hear something in the next couple of months. Sorry we can't be more specific.
Star Wars Episode VII is set for release in summer 2015 (that's now been confirmed). More news on the movie when it's available.
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McDiarmid is by far the best thing in the prequels, save John Williams' scores. Revenge of the Sith is his movie. I'd love to see him back, but hopefully just as a flashback. Star Wars can't take much more continuity insanity.
So when do they reveal that Mace Windu is alive? Lost his hand? Tossed out a window from great height? Practically a rite of passage for Jedi...
If this is true, it's absolute proof that JJ Abrams has lost whatever creative spark he used to have. It'd be an absolute choke job to bring back Palpatine for Episode 7. He's a fantastic character, but he's dead.