I wonder what the role was - a younger version or a clone of Palpatine, Palp’s son, or other?
Welp! I’m glad he finally spoke out about it as the only official confirmation we had was Internet Archive records on Disney’s UK website showing him part of the cast. Richard E. Grant also commented on it at the time to Radio Times:
“Oh, it’s definitely worth it,” he says. “If you’re a Star Wars fan, and I am, then knowing what’s coming in this is quite something.
“I absolutely understand why they’re so secretive about it, because it’s very exciting.”
The film also offers the opportunity for a reunion between Grant and former Doctor Who star Matt Smith, who has also been confirmed to star in Star Wars IX around six years after the pair clashed as the Doctor and The Great Intelligence in the BBC sci-fi series.
“Yes, we were in a Christmas special and another episode together,” Grant says. But will they share any scenes again?
“I would be fired if I told you anything about that,” he smiles.
I think I remember rumours at the time saying he’d be playing The Son from The Clone Wars or a younger clone version of Palpatine. I can imagine him as a variation of Palpatine before or after he Force Drains Rey and Kylo’s powers as he regains his youthful form. I can see them changing this because they felt fans would prefer seeing Ian McDiarmid the whole film.