'Star Wars: Episode 9' Theory: Can The Emperor Return As Force Ghost?

The return of Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) in “Star Wars: Episode 9” has led to a lot of speculation about whether it is possible for a Sith Lord to return as a Force Ghost. A new theory explores the canon content to see if it is possible for the evil tyrant to return in spirit form.

According to a theory by CBR the “Star Wars” canon has already established that a Sith Lord can return as a Force Ghost. So far, this is seen as a technique that only the Jedi can use.

The idea of surrendering to the will of the Force is contrary to the Sith teachings that is based on manipulating the universal energy to serve one’s will. However, there is a way for the Dark Side users to learn how to return after death.

While the Jedi can surrender to the Force and return as ghosts to influence the living, the Sith can accomplish the same thing in a different way. The Dark Side users can achieve a separation of the spirit from the body to such a degree that they no longer depend on their body for their consciousness to exist. This helps them to posses another body or object.

Palpatine may use this technique to return in “Star Wars: Episode 9” as a Force Ghost. The Marvel comics “Darth Vader” have already established that a Sith can poses an object. The objects could be the mangled helmet of his former apprentice, the ring that Snoke (Andy Serkis) had, or it could be the Death Star itself.

According to another theory by CBR, Snoke was just a pawn that the Emperor used to prepare for his ultimate return. With the chaos in the galaxy after the fall of the New Republic and the death of Snoke, the conditions are just right for Palpatine to return.

One characteristic of the Sith is that they prefer to be in the physical world rather than be one with the Force. The Emperor could do that in “Star Wars: Episode 9” by possessing a body of a living person, which is seen as the perversion of the Force.