Palpatine | Behind The Scenes History

The Emperor, Darth Sidious... Sheev. He's a character of many names, but how did he come to be?
Let's take a look at the behind the scenes history of Star Wars' ultimate personification of evil... PALPATINE!
(This video was made prior to the release of The Rise of Skywalker)

[@grstudios5087]

"We certainly haven't seen the last of Sheev just yet." Rise of skywalker: palpatine laugh

[@user-ti6hq2tc9o]

I know exactly which laugh you mean. Too bad they ruined everything about Palpatine's return in Rise of Skywalker by premiering it in FORTNITE... lmfao fail

[@happyplaceforever101]

Cant wait for 'Snoke | Behind The Scenes History' video... The video will be 30 seconds long with credits.

[@sfcd4757]

Was that a type-o? You said 30 seconds...did you mean 3?

[@matthewl2036]

😂😂😂

[@Jambus05]

Just watch it again

[@abusername1270]

Might be a 2 parter

[@ItsButterBean1020]

To be fair there are some cool tidbits (like him intended to be female)

[@Andrew_Waples]

One side note: Ian also voiced the Emperor in the final episodes of Rebels.

[@Grimmfather]

Andrew Waples I was also going to point that out 👍

[@Experiment6Two6]

Wherein he mispronounced Ashoka's name as "Ah-shook-a."

[@speedracer2008]

On Disney plus, Sam Witwer's vocal performance as Palpatine was redubbed by Ian McDiarmid.

[@AlexOtto]

@@speedracer2008 And it was played on TV on May 4th

[@mikeor-]

Did he? He certainly sounded like Maul (i. e. Sam Whitwer)

[@mr.boxingmoves486]

"Oh😱.... I'm afraid that the Deflector Shield will be Quite operational when your friends arrive" 😂😂😂

[@mr.boxingmoves486]

@ShitBitch "Geeze .....you don't have to be a D!CK ABOUT IT"😂😂😂😂

[@tucjdujgfgyas]

Ian Macdiarmid is the best Palpatine.

[@jjmm4965]

*the best Senate

[@toddkurzbard]

Ian Macdiarmid is the ONLY Palpatine.

[@rmcl7583]

No one can replace the Senate

[@sixtengustafsson1637]

@@toddkurzbard he is not The emperor in episode 5

[@andrewclark970]

@Sixten Gustafsson Youg fool ! You forgot about the special edition !

[@darthsidious1137]

Gooooooood

[@_caracalla_]

henceforth!

[@daytonafalls]

Give in to your anger

[@truesoulghost2777]

Master.....what do you will of me?

[@generalgrievousjunior119]

What is thy bidding my master?

[@rangerfilin]

Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen! Ha ha ha ha ha ha! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnLJYYSkgauGbbM

[@georgesikorski9891]

21:24 "It remains to be seen exactly how Palpatine will be involved in fresh Star Wars stories going foreward, if at all" J. J. Abrams: Weeeeelllllllll.....

[@makeadeathwishproductions]

i was literally going to say something like that. the ending of this video was surprisingly prophetic!!

[@wwb16]

I'm actually interested in how sidious being in episode 9 will play out

[@Badass1974]

Rey vs Palpatine. Family vs family. Sound familiar.

[@wwb16]

@@Badass1974 if that is even the case. Who knows

[@Badass1974]

A huge twist awaits us. Lucas had some major input on this movie. Especially act 3. Lets pray its good. @@wwb16

[@professorwho6315]

I actually knew Palpatine was Sidious in Episode 1 when I was a kid, because about a year or two earlier when Kenner was selling the Power of the Force Line of action figures, they had the emperor figurine with the name "Emperor Palpatine." So, when I heard Amidala say, "Senator Palpatine," I was one of the few in my theater who knew who he was. Come to think of it now, toylines have been ruining plot twists for a while now. lol

[@Chrysobubulle]

SAME !!! Im french but i remember in the mid 90’s my family did a trip to the US and among other things we ended up in a comic book store in Santa Monica, and i saw a figurine of the Emperor from Star Wars called Emperor Palpatine. So it never occured to me when i saw the prequel movies years later that the identity of the Emperor was a twist plot, the same we knew Anakin would turn into Vader. I dont think it really was a twist plot anyway since the actor playing Darth Sidious was never credited in the ending titles. The only one indicated was Palpatine.

[@sangokus6478]

@@Chrysobubulle Moi je me souviens l'avoir deviner avec la scène ou Yoda et Mace disaient que c'était un sith qui avait tué Qui Gon, Yoda avait dit qu'ils étaient toujours 2, un maître et un apprenti, après ils se demandaient lequel était mort, le maître ou l'apprentie, puis la caméra se diriger vers Palpatine pour qu'il soit au premier plan, mais je comprenais pas pourquoi il était à côté des Jedi, je croyais qu'il était devenu gentil 😁 Ahh, la jeunesse ^^

[@quoniam426]

Same when i was playing with micromachine action figures. Especially the Imperial Gard helmet/throne room, the Emperor action figure was labelled as Emperor Palpatine when in the movie he isn't named at all. So naturally when the Phantom Menace came out, their was no surprise.

[@lewisfraser4153]

Was it ever meant to be a twist? I could tell Palpatine was Darth Sidious as a small child, and I was a hella stupid kid

[@professorwho6315]

@@lewisfraser4153 They tried to play it off. And looking at the films from the perspective of a first time viewer, you can see it, though it was really really obvious.

[@thescroot]

Why was Palpatine so evil? COS DASHIT he had to go through.

[@kellyweingart3692]

lol

[@Darthluke7]

Ah yes the 66th like

[@theodorberg8473]

He’s not evil

[@boromirofgondor1856]

in my point of view the jedi are evil

[@Moviefan2k4]

The moment they revealed that name in the early scripts, I knew someone would make fun of it. Well done.

[@scinnyc]

Palpatine's true identity as Sidius was beyond obvious because his Power of the Force action figure in 1997 was named "Emperor Palpatine". Ian played that part perfectly. Palpatine is probably the greatest fictional villian in all of history.

[@petrikokko1441]

He was named in the movie novel published days before A New Hope premiered.

[@davidallen346]

They pick the right actor to play the part, his voicing was perfect

[@paulewing6814]

Got to include Snoke now, he looks so real and evil n scary in the last jedi, even the holograms in The Force Awakens makes him look more menacing than the emperor.

[@paulewing6814]

That comment was an answer to your comnent about the emperor being so scary looking- King Ramesez

[@FrostedSeagull]

Hey King Ramesez, Great review and I agree that Darth Sidious is as you say ... "probably the greatest fictional villain in all of history.Read more Show less Reply 24 25 Report spam or abuse

[@_MaZTeR_]

Ian McDiarmid reprised his role as Sidious in the final episodes of Rebels

[@patrykadamkiewicz340]

@history general yes indeed.

[@ZakJordan98]

@I am Supernaut Maybe he'll be playing him in the new Clone Wars season

[@jyetaylor6898]

Where he mispronounces Ashokas name as “a-SHO-ka”

[@ZakJordan98]

@@jyetaylor6898 He is The Senate, he's excused

[@leonardochapman4736]

And rise of skywalker

[@LightningBoltForever]

Next from this channel: Plagueis | Not Behind the Scenes History the Jedi Would Tell You

[@TPKProductions]

hahaha

[@thewanderer2528]

LightningBoltForever g

[@Doctor_Straing_Strange]

"It's a sith legend"

[@rockyseverino9230]

I've known the emperor's name was palpatine since I read the books in the 80s. It was fun watching people wonder who sidious was in phantom menace. It was kinda like game of thrones the first several seasons if you had friends who hadn't read the books. It's fun to watch someone else discover or experience a twist you already know. As long as you have the self control not to be smug or ruin it for them.

[@architectofdreams73]

As said all so smuggly

[@alexandersavage305]

It’s actually very interesting that Palpatine started as a puppet and ended as a puppet master.

[@kornfreak78]

I love Darth Sidious/Emperor Palpatine. Seriously one of the greatest villains of all time. Ian McDiarmid is a legend! :)

[@DrUrlf]

The mighty Sheev is finally to return! Just came back from the Episode 9 Teaser and it got me chills.

[@truesoulghost2777]

I bet. As it should give you chills. Because Disney is lining up a shot to stick it in balls deep to anyone that falls for it. Good luck and may the force be with you. I doubt even it can repair the scars that will be left.

[@StuckonStupid84]

@@truesoulghost2777 at most it will numb the pain.

[@jamiebraswell5520]

I love Ian McDiarmid and I am sure he will be great as usual, but the simple fact of the matter is that it will be poorly written as nothing in the sequel trilogy even as much as hinted at this. It's just more nostalgia play to get fans to buy tickets to this mess. This sequel trilogy could have been amazing, but serious mistakes were made every step of the way, resulting in flashy trash that is best ignored.

[@TheOneWhoReportsForDuty]

“We haven’t seen the last of Sheeve just yet.” Unfortunately.

[@TheK76778]

This isn't Something the Jedi Would Tell You

[@johndrake4261]

No Palpatine = No Star Wars We owe our boy so much, what a great dude

[@twstf8905]

It was a stroke of genius for George to cast an older Ian Mcdiarmid all those decades later, to play a younger version of the same character he'd played all those years before, when he was decades younger. (Lol) It's like George had a Palpatine-esque, methodical way of pulling the strings behind everything. As if everything that had transpired had done so according to his design. 👍😊

[@TheFirstCurse1]

My second favorite Star Wars character (behind Revan). Palpatine is the best fictional villain of all time to me. He's the literal pure definition of evil, and yet he's likeable.

[@rclv428]

Darth Sidious is my favorite character. He is Star Wars.

[@user-ti6hq2tc9o]

@Captain Rex No Harrison Ford hates Star Wars, ANAKIN/VADER is Star Wars.

[@taigaseji]

J Luke skywalker is star wars

[@mikeor-]

Darth Andeddu: Undead Darth Revan: Revanchist (Alek) Darth Malak: Lacking (and he also changed his name to Malak beforehand) (Arren Kae) Darth Traya, the Lord of Betrayal/Kreia: Traitor Darth Sion, Lord of Pain: Wounded Darth Nihilus, Lord of Hunger: Nihilist Darth Angral: Angry Darth Malgus: Evil Darth Baras: Baras was his birth name Darth Phobos: Fear Darth Desolous: Disillusioned Darth Ruin: Ruin Darth Rivan: Misinterpretation of Revan (Dessel) Darth Bane: Bane of the Jedi. (Rain) Darth Zannah: Zannah was her birth name (The Huntress) Darth Cognus: Knowledge. Darth Millennial: Millennial Darth Vectivus, the Sith who did no Evil: Victory Darth Guile: Beguile Darth Gravid: Graven Darth Gean: Gleam (Rugess Nome) Darth Tenebrous: Prophet Darth Venamis: Poison (Hego Damask II) Darth Plagueis the Wise: Diseased (Emperor Palpatine) Darth Sidious: Insidious Darth Maul: Mauling Count Dooku/Darth Tyranus: Tyrant (Anakin Skywalker) Darth Vader: Invader (Jacen Solo) Darth Caedus: Strength (A'Sharad Hett) Darth Krayt: Krayt Dragon

[@williamjameslehy1341]

It would have been awesome if the climax of RotJ had taken place on Coruscant rather than a second Death Star. It seems a bit strange in retrospect that all the action of the OT took place so far away from the Galaxy's centre of political power. Taking the frontier farm boy protagonist from his podunk home planet to the imperial capital would have nicely complemented the overall plot arc.

[@ItsButterBean1020]

Could have been neat but I buy it

[@jebthegodemperor7301]

Yes yes a thousand times yes. I love this idea and refuse to believe it wasn't impossible since Blade Runner was released the previous year. In the prequels we can see the glorious center of the Republic slowly decay. We then take two movies to explore other parts of the Galaxy, only to return to the Imperial Capital, now polluted and ruled with an iron fist by Palpatine. Then we can take the next two movies to explore the struggles of the fledgling New Republic, and finally return to the First Order-occupied planet. Only this time, the people of Coruscant are not going to give up their sovereignty and freedom without a fight.

[@Wisdomcucco]

@@jebthegodemperor7301 much of the city stuff in blade runner is set at night (which is easier to get away with for a futuristic urban setting), and much of the ROTJ coruscant finale concept art is in daylight. I think it would have been possible (look at metropolis from the 1920s), but taken a long time; Lucas’s divorce made him want to get ROTJ over quickly, and I’m glad we saw Coruscant more fully realised later on in TPM

[@jebthegodemperor7301]

@@Wisdomcucco agreed, but I would have preferred to see Coruscant at night in ROTJ, due to night or pollution, to highlight the contrast with the idyllic Episode 1 version

[@sc_art5408]

Wait, in Rebels, Palpatine was both voiced by Sam Witwer (in season 2), and Ian McDiarmid himself (season 4).

[@clark5317]

@I am Supernaut Wait, really? That sounds interesting--and like a special edition! Is there a source for this?

[@olliedewsall]

I am Supernaut I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the mandalorian season 2 or 3 tbh. There’s a growing power and looking for baby Yoda has to be orchestrated by someone. Moff clearly works for someone !

[@Monkofmagnesia]

I doubt I am the only one who, when they first heard "Palpatine," thought "palpitation"

[@lordnevetsz]

I would laugh so hard if the Emperor ever pulled a Nixon with the whole " I am not a crook" lol

[@FrostedSeagull]

A really good review as it looks at the Palpatine/Darth Sidious character from every dimension. VERY well researched. Darth Plagueis was wise . . . perhaps . . . far too wise as he created both Darth Sidious and Darth Vader.

[@bjusticeforever]

Love the music...to those who don't know, it's a remake of the track "The Emperor Arrives" from Return of The Jedi when Palpatine/Darth Sidious is greeted by Darth Vader on the newly constructed Death Star. The deep "aahhhs" gave the track a depth no instrument could.

[@Moviefan2k4]

I'd completely forgotten that Palpatine was mentioned in "The Last Jedi" - the movie was so horrible I've let most of it lapse from my memory.

[@barrymcg3632]

Palpatine is my favourite Star Wars character

[@Amadeus8484]

Hahahaha Good. Gooooooodd.....

[@davids1051]

Why did he hire you lol cuz dengar lol

[@Flesson19]

I want them to do a Star Wars story about him, cmon who wouldn't want to see Sidious work some serious Sith power

[@LordAndFailure]

imagine taking a walk on the street and just seeing Sheev

[@Anakunus]

Interesting. Here I thought that I already knew everything worth knowing about Palpatine - yet I had no idea that Ian McDiarmid was not Lucas's first choice to play the part, but Alan Webb. I also did not know that his first name has been revealed in official material. So, it is "Sheev Palpatine", then... It sounds a bit weird but also exotic, like most person names in Star Wars. Thank you for releasing this video. On another note, I was surprised how easily David Prowse lifted McDiarmid up so high at section 12:14. I would have assumed that some kind of trick was used in that scene.

[@simonkirschenbaum8001]

Dave Prowse is a strong man (and a bodybuilder)

[@TheSubPredicate]

I really love your videos, I get so excited whenever you upload lmao Edit: Also I love how you included a Palpatine meme

[@OnlyOneKenobi]

TheSubPredicate same! 👍

[@petuniapetalblossom6755]

I remember my boyfriend buying a SW Halloween costume for his son, after Return of The Jedi, back in the 80s. I think it was a pilot's coverall. The label, however, said Revenge of The Jedi. Can't remember why they eventually changed the title, and the kid ended up exchanging the costume for something else. I've always wondered if we should have kept it, and how much that first one would be worth today...

[@OnlyOneKenobi]

Love your channel! ! Uploads are rare... but a treat when up! !

[@angelisabroad]

Excellent video, and good prediction at the end! :)

[@RanochVTX]

Darth Sidius if by far my favorite SW villain.

[@ocdoc726]

Phenomenal! Great recap and insight!

[@mr.dalek2.028]

Can you do one about Grand Moff Tarkin

[@sc_art5408]

MR. DALEK2.0 I second this.

[@OnlyOneKenobi]

Third this!!!! 👍

[@jackmcdonnell8505]

FOURTH

[@BehindStarWars]

Great idea

[@christophzeit6282]

They should .... DEW IT

[@therealuna]

Amazing video man! So informative! Me, being a life long star wars fan, (who has shown others the films and created many more fans through my passion when talking about them) still retained information I'd never known before and really enjoyed this video! Two thumbs up and an automatic subscribe! I sincerely hope you continue these videos through all of the new films as well, as I will be checking out more things on your channel and subscribing! Once again, great work!

[@nerradox8590]

The amount of effort you put into your videos is amazing!

[@BehindStarWars]

Glad it's recognisable, thanks so much

[@sc_art5408]

I’ve missed this series.

[@morreale94]

Man do I love this channel. Keep up the good work mate.

[@bludhaven8634]

Time to update/edit with new material from Rise of Skywalker!

[@HalfEatenMedia]

I really wish they would make a Darth Sidious film. He’s one of the most interesting of all the characters and his back story would be worthy enough for a film.

[@fekalistagrzybowory7619]

Disney will do it. For the money

[@NYG5]

@@fekalistagrzybowory7619 nah they would never make it, they would be too afraid of "making the right wing sympathetic"

[@marcusfenix6741]

These videos are fantastic!

[@jamiebraswell5520]

That was an extremely interesting video that revealed several things I did not know from behind the scenes. Your idea, though, about Padme's lifeforce being drained by Palpatine to revive Darth Vader is amazing and one that I have never thought about before. Wow, this reminds me of the good old days when heavily debating with fans about what would happen in the prequels. It was so fun to be a fan back then as the prequels were being released, with three years between each one to discuss theories.

[@adambosman9611]

April 2019: He's back....

[@An-ri1iy]

I love your videos, they are so well written!

[@towntroniks]

This is very informative. Great work.

[@nintendosaber1184]

The Senate | Behind The Scenes History

[@lastspartan15]

Love your star wars videos so much! ♥️♥️♥️

[@philipcao1275]

Fantastic video, wish you would make more often!

[@BehindStarWars]

I wish so too! :P Work often gets in the way, but my next upload will be within the next 1-2 weeks, which is a record for me lol.

[@philipcao1275]

Looking forward to it.

[@matthewminelli]

Excellent report.

[@mrj509]

Great job man keep up the good work

[@rbsnjax]

Great video!

[@DarthInsomnis]

Of all the perfect casting choices for the Star Wars series, having Ian as the senate was especially golden.

[@fe1liott.civicsi]

I was just wondering about this yesterday! You read my mind dude!

[@BehindStarWars]

Thanks dude

[@dougwhite1977]

The Emporer has always been and always will be my favorite Star Wars character

[@JelloFluoride]

wow, this video was amazing. You got my sub.

[@BehindStarWars]

Many thanks mate

[@euanjackson811]

Even with the scene of palpating revealing he made anakin to me he kinda implied it anyway.

[@TheKvltSith]

This video deserves more views.

[@CatSamurai99]

he who cause da shit

[@mvkugler]

One quick note. The Vietnam War was conceived and began under Linden Johnson’s presidency. Odd side note. Johnson had many similarities to Sidious.

[@Amadeus8484]

Both parties are the same. In fact both the Republic and the Separatists were under control by the same person...

[@kesslerfox9858]

Execute order 62...

[@marcosmartins7581]

Excellent... Well done!

[@puppetproductions991]

Little extra bit of trivia; In earlier drafts of revenge of the sith, Anakin was supposed to be present from the very start of Palpatine's arrest, and would in fact use Anakin's lightsaber to fight the jedi. If you look really closely at the hilt during the fight you can even see that it's Anakin's hilt with a red blade

[@ricky.alonso]

Why would he use Anakin's if he had his own though?

[@puppetproductions991]

I don't know if this is still canon or not, but it was revealed that he actually kept his lightsabers hidden inside two statues in his office. (It's also possible that he had them hidden somewhere else that wasn't easy to access). Keep in mind that in this version Anakin would've been with him the whole time, so he couldn't really just casually walk up to a statue, break it and take a lightsaber from it without Anakin doing anything.

[@truesoulghost2777]

@@puppetproductions991 I think that you are right. I have heard of that before.

[@Fernand00T]

the fact you compared Palpatine to richard nixon lol

[@ptonfire1]

"Yes ,unlimited pooooaaaaaawwwwrr!!!.I will return for my graand daauuugggtaa...." -Emp.Palpatine

[@johntheechidna1]

When he first emerged from that shuttle in "Return of the Jedi", accompanied by John Williams' brilliant score, I knew that I was in the presence of pure evil. Serious props to Ian McDiarmid for bringing to life the most evil individual in the Star Wars galaxy.

[@felixm8733]

Awesome video!

[@raphael5604]

I love your videos !

[@ventriss8314]

If Rey kills Darth Sidious, I'm going to flip my desk over.

[@dumbass4826]

Lmao she does

[@simonkirschenbaum8001]

Did you flip your desk over yet?

[@spicysnowman8886]

Did you flip your desk?

[@crook7493]

vent riss Did you do it?

[@TashaVanHuss]

DEW IT

[@IDontPostPorn]

your voice makes me sleepy but I want to stay awake and watch

[@natsune09]

Palpatine is one of my favorite villains in movies/books/TV. Along with Baron Harkonen (Dune), Mr Hickey (The Terror), and Bowler Hat Guy (Meet the Robinsons).

[@vermontmike9800]

The original emperor was Sinestro?

[@mongothedestroyer88]

Although the Emperor is only in a few scenes in each movie he steals the show when he's there.

[@senorprofesor8512]

17:50 "I´m whatching Toll-o-vision" Lol

[@seancofield1807]

Actually Ian McDiarmid did voice the Emperor in season 4 of Rebels.

[@tylerhouston69]

Loved this.

[@Seren2010kinder]

Keep the good work up mate

[@BehindStarWars]

Thanks Scott

[@kingrook8039]

Great video

[@sindurgoku8022]

Palpatine is easily the best character in all of Star Wars. He's the Senate, after all.

[@iSuperdupaloveweed]

dude, Witwer gets to be so many badasses. I knew he was Darth Maul in Clone Wars and Rebels, and obviously he's starkiller, but i didn't know he voiced Sidious in the game too. that's fucking awesome

[@josephbanet5410]

I hope you make an updated version of this with The Rise of Skywalker.

[@twistedpuppet722]

"Do what must be done Lord Vader. Do not hesitate. Show no mercy"

[@Daftotron]

Love your stuff, man. Any plans on doing any videos on heroic characters rather than villains?

[@BehindStarWars]

For sure! My next one probably. Have you any suggestions?

[@Daftotron]

Ya can't go wrong with starting with Luke himself. :)

[@BehindStarWars]

I had been thinking the same. It would be a LONG video lol.

[@AspieMediaBobby]

It`s interesting to note that whilst Revill is Kiwi and Sir Ian McDiarmid is Scottish, Palpatine`s accent is a mix of RP English(As Senator and Chancellor Palpatine) and Revill`s Kiwi accent as Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious(Particularly in the pronunciation of the word "Galaxy" which McDiarmid pronounces like "Gilaxy" which is almost certainly a callback to Revill`s Kiwi roots).

[@KatanaBart]

Wait, isn't Ian still alive? IMO absolutely the greatest casting for any role, ever.

[@RobertBoyle11]

Yes. Currently he is 76.

[@mike5seven391]

16:53 thats one of my favorite parts of the prequels. that smirk, palpatine is like i played you so good and made you my bitch and you dont even know it, your my puppet for the rest of your life

[@Killerbee4712]

The rise of skywalker... Palpy's is back baby

[@xalian17]

Bro come on -- everyone knew that Sidious was Palpatine back in Episode I

[@DrTreason]

he even fucking got his clothes darker every time he gained power and started to reveal his true identity .. Geniuses ..

[@sdrewe99]

All this background stuff on Star Wars really shows the quality of LucasArts and the depth of its story making. Very much unlike Disney who have completely destroyed the theme and original concept of Star Wars.

[@Flesson19]

It's because Lucas at the time cared for Star Wars, and Disney only cares about $$$$$$$$$$$

[@mrwheatthins2413]

@@Flesson19 A New Hope was the only one made because Lucas had a vision. The rest were made simply because they were successful. Episode 6 literally has cute teddy bear monsters in it just so Lucasfilm could sell toys.

[@jalzate]

6:28 Nixon does the jedi mind trick.

[@marcouribe9593]

And he's back!!!

[@pkextra2834]

OKAY I literally just watched Taxi Driver two days ago, and during the campaign scene (the one you show), I looked at the name Palantine and said “huh. Pretty similar to Palpatine. Wonder if they’re connected”

[@sadikfb3631]

Can you do Jango Fett

[@iwanttoseemrshow]

Jango unchained

[@kellyweingart3692]

lol

[@TheologyChad22]

That's cool that they used the early concept for the Emperor's throne at 9:30 for Snoke's throne