Why Did Ian McDiarmid Already Play Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars?

Many Star Wars fans are familiar with the iconic character of Emperor Palpatine, portrayed by the talented actor Ian McDiarmid. However, the question often arises: why was McDiarmid chosen to play such a significant character so early in his career? This article explores the reasons behind the decision to cast McDiarmid and the role of makeup in portraying the character.

Actor Choice and Character Background

The casting of Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine in the original Star Wars trilogy was influenced by McDiarmidrsquo;s extensive stage background and his ability to convey a characterrsquo;s malevolence and manipulative nature. Unlike physical appearance, the role of Emperor Palpatine required a skilled actor capable of delivering the dark and commanding presence of the character. McDiarmid was the perfect choice for this role due to his range as an actor and his reputation for stage performances.

The Role and Physical Portrayal

In the original trilogy, the Emperorrsquo;s age and appearance were enhanced through makeup, lighting, and costume design. Despite being younger than the character was typically portrayed, McDiarmid effectively embodied the role. This was a critical factor in his casting, as makeup effects allowed him to age without appearing too young or too old for the part.

Unexpected Advantages in Casting

When casting director saw McDiarmid in the play ldquo;Seduced,rdquo; playing a young Howard Hughes, they recognized his ability to portray different ages and stages. His experience in a stage play when he was about 17, where he played a character who was about 50, demonstrated his versatility. This age representation technique, using makeup, lighting, and costume design, proved to be an unexpected advantage. Even a seventeen-year-old could look fifty with a bit of face paint and some silver glitter in the hair.

Age Considerations and Make-Up Effects

McDiarmid was 37 or so when he filmed Return of the Jedi. The makeup artists used advanced techniques to make him appear older. At the time of filming, he was just a couple of months shy of 39, which was enough to make him look older than his actual age. The makeup was so convincing that it made him look as if he were about 80. Thus, his actual age at the time of filming did not matter as much as his ability to portray the character convincingly.

This unexpected advantage became even more apparent when McDiarmid returned 16 years later to play Emperor Palpatine in the prequel trilogy. By then, he was 53, which was just the right age to play the character as a young Senator Palpatine. The character was in his mid-50s, while the film had shown him as a much older Emperor. The makeup and age representation techniques used in 1983 had been so successful that McDiarmid was perfectly suited for the role again.

Overall, the casting of Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars was a masterstroke. His acting skills, coupled with the advanced makeup and set design of the time, allowed him to portray the character with such depth and conviction that fans continue to marvel at his performance.

Conclusion

McDiarmidrsquo;s portrayal of Emperor Palpatine is a testament to his talent as an actor and the effectiveness of makeup and set design in portraying a character convincingly. Whether in the original trilogy or the prequels, McDiarmidrsquo;s performance has left a lasting impression on Star Wars fans around the world.

Keywords: Ian McDiarmid, Emperor Palpatine, Star Wars, character portrayal, makeup effects