An early version of the Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker script addressed the controversial return of clone Emperor Palpatine. Directed and co-written (with Chris Terrio) by J.J. Abrams, the film served as the final installment of the Skywalker saga - and as the master manipulator behind the events of its preceding trilogies, also marked Darth Sidious coming back at the franchise's forefront.

Confirmed at last year's Star Wars Celebration in Chicago, much of the specifics of Palpatine's return was cloaked in mystery leading up to The Rise of Skywalker's release. Marketing didn't even reveal him in his full physical state, although he was prominent in trailers through narration and unmistakeable cackle. Admittedly, not everyone was thrilled to see Sith Master again, although Abrams justified it by emphasizing that he was a significant figure in previous films, so it makes sense that he also factored in this last chapter. The question was, how? The Rise of Skywalker was supposed to properly explain that, but unfortunately, didn't do much of a good job about. However, McDiarmid says that an early version of the script was going to resolve that.

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During his recent panel appearance at this year's C2E2 in Chicago, McDiarmid talked about the state of Palpatine in The Rise of Skywalker and revealed that he knew he was going to be a clone thanks to an earlier version of the script. As it turns out, the matter was going to be addressed as early as the film's opening sequence during Kylo Ren's initial encounter with the Sith Master in Exegol. The actor said (via @senatesidious):

At one point, the script had the line - in that first scene, with Adam [Driver who plays Kylo Ren] - when he says, "You’re a clone." And I said, in that original script, which is no longer with us, "More than a clone. Less than a man."

Kylo Ren and Battle of Exegol in Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker

In the film, Kylo Ren ventured into Exegol thanks to the Sith Wayfinder he found in Mustafar. There, he found Palpatine, who was waiting for his arrival. The Sith Lord then proposed a partnership between him and the then-Supreme Leader regarding Rey. It wasn't until the release of The Rise of Skywalker's official novelization from writer Rae Carson that this was properly confirmed. Prior to the release of the tie-in novel, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Visual Dictionary provided additional details in the hopes of explaining how exactly Palpatine was able to return. Apparently, it's all thanks to his loyal supporters known as the Sith Eternals. They're not mentioned in the film, but they were integral in bringing the villain to Exegol and revive him using "technology and occult."

There's no known reason why Abrams and company decided to veer away from the initial dialogue, which would've easily clarified the confusion regarding Palpatine's return. Had they gone this route, perhaps critics who didn't like Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker for its string of narrative conveniences, not to mention leaving a lot of mysteries unanswered, would've been more accepting. Sadly, the public now has to rely on tie-in materials to make sense of some of the film's most mind-boggling plot points.

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Source: @senatesidious/Twitter