Back in August it was announced that former Doctor Who star Matt Smith is heading to the galaxy far, far away for a role in Star Wars: Episode IX, and now we’ve got a rumour which claims that he’s set to portray a classic Star Wars villain.
According to the ‘Hot Scoop or Shot of Poop’ segment of The Weekly Planet Podcast (via ScreenRant), there’s talk that Smith is set to play a young version of Emperor Palpatine in the closing chapter of the Sequel Trilogy.
This isn’t the first time that Palpatine has been rumoured for Episode IX, as The Express previously reporting that Ian McDiarmid has been lined up to reprise his role from the Original and Prequel Trilogies, appearing as a projection to Kylo Ren.
It’s probably worth noting at this point that old Sheev has been rumoured for every Star Wars movie since Disney’s Lucasfilm acquisition, and so far all of those reports have proven false.
The veracity of these reports aside, it is possible that Episode IX could contain some kind of flashback where we see Smith as a young version of the future Emperor. Or perhaps – and we really hope this isn’t the case – the movie could take a cue from the old EU, and introduce a clone of the Sith Master?
What do you make of these rumours? Could you see Matt Smith as a young Palpatine? Let us know your thoughts in the comments…
SEE ALSO: Disney and Lucasfilm viewing Star Wars: Episode IX as a “course correction” for the franchise
Star Wars: Episode IX is set for release on December 20th 2019 with J.J. Abrams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) directing a cast that includes Star Wars veterans Daisy Ridley (Rey), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), Billie Lourd (Lieutenant Connix), Greg Grunberg (Snap Wexley), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian) and Carrie Fisher (Leia Organa) as well as new additions Naomi Ackie (Lady Mabeth), Richard E. Grant (Logan), Dominic Monaghan (Lost), Matt Smith (Doctor Who) and Keri Russell (The Americans).
