Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Don't miss these
The Eleventh Brother in Tales of the Jedi
Star Wars TV Shows Who is the masked Inquisitor in Maul – Shadow Lord? The Star Wars history of the Eleventh Brother explained
Jeremy Allen White as Rotta the Hutt, holding two axes, in The Mandalorian and Grogu
Star Wars Movies Star Wars is "about families," so The Mandalorian and Grogu will explore Rotta being Jabba the Hutt's son
Rey in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars Movies Every new Star Wars movie and TV show currently in the works
Sam Witwer as Darth Maul in Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord release schedule: when are episodes 9 and 10 on Disney Plus?
Darth Maul and Inquisitor Marrok in a lightsaber battle in Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows Who is Inquisitor Marrok? What we know about the Star Wars character introduced in Ahsoka, explained
The Mandalorian and Grogu in the Big Game Spot
Star Wars Movies Jon Favreau admits The Mandalorian's jump to the big screen means they have to "up their game"
Rey in The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars Movies 7 years later, Star Wars fans are still mourning one huge missed opportunity with Rey in the sequels
Maul and Inquisitor Marrok fighting in Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows Who is Inquisitor Marrok calling in Maul – Shadow Lord episode 6? All the Star Wars characters he could be contacting
Ahsoka
Star Wars TV Shows Ahsoka season 2 is dealing with a "higher level" of Star Wars than The Mandalorian and Grogu
Sam Witwer as Maul in Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows Maul – Shadow Lord episode 8 tunnel visions explained: all the references to Maul's Star Wars past
Sam Witwer as Maul in Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows The Maul – Shadow Lord team break down the episode 8 visions sequence that brought Sam Witwer to "tears"
Baby Yoda and some Anzellans in The Mandalorian and Grogu trailer
Star Wars Movies Baby Yoda gets eaten in new Mandalorian and Grogu TV spot
An alien food vendor voiced by Martin Scorsese in The Mandalorian & Grogu trailer.
Star Wars Movies Martin Scorsese's unexpected cameo in The Mandalorian and Grogu explained
Sam Witwer as Darth Maul in Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord release date, cast, trailer, and everything else we know about the animated show
Maul and Inquisitor Marrok fighting in Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows Maul – Shadow Lord's Inquisitors are "creepier than we've ever seen them," including Ahsoka's mysterious Marrok
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies
  3. Sci-Fi Movies
  4. Star Wars Movies
  5. Star Wars 9

Is the Emperor in Star Wars 9? J.J. Abrams says "he’s in the poster for a reason"

News
By Bradley Russell published 29 August 2019

The Rise of Skywalker director also praises Adam Driver’s “mindblowing” turn as Kylo Ren

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Star Wars 9
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Details about Star Wars 9 are still mostly under wraps, particularly when it comes to those corrupted by the Dark Side of the Force. Director J.J. Abrams, though, has given out a few hints about the Emperor’s potential involvement in Rise of Skywalker, as well as a “mindblowing” performance from Adam Driver as Kylo Ren.

“That’s part of what the story is [about],” Abrams told MTV News during a recent interview when asked about both the Emperor’s role in Star Wars 9 and who the ultimate ‘Big Bad’ will be. “I will say that, with the Emperor around, he’s not gonna be… the cuddly pal. I can’t wait to see how that plays out, but he’s in the poster for a reason.”

While the first Star Wars 9 trailer featured only a final, ominous sound of the Emperor laughing, those Abrams comments may yet hint at a larger role for the man who was once Chancellor Palpatine.

You may like
  • Poe Dameron in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker One of the most infamous Star Wars lines was added in reshoots, Oscar Isaac says
  • John Boyega in Star Wars: The Force Awakens John Boyega says he's spoken to Lucasfilm president Dave Filoni about coming back to Star Wars
  • The Rise of Skywalker Star Wars fans are discussing one major moment in The Rise of Skywalker

Someone else well-versed in the way of the Sith is Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren. The idea that the Sith Lord would eventually flip back to the side of light has been circulating ever since his assassination of Supreme Leader Snoke in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Abrams is keeping any story beats close to his chest in the regard, but teased that Driver, “is mindblowing in this, he’s brought a whole other level” and on the subject of Kylo Ren’s redemption, a cryptic, but ultimately interesting response that should tide #Bendemption (yep, that’s a whole thing) fans over until December: “you can never limit what [Adam Driver] can do.”

Dive deep into the recent Star Wars 9 teaser with our look at everything we discovered in the D23 Rise of Skywalker footage.

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
Disney Plus Streaming Services
Bradley Russell
Bradley Russell
Social Links Navigation
Senior Entertainment Writer

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

Read more
Poe Dameron in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars Movies One of the most infamous Star Wars lines was added in reshoots, Oscar Isaac says
 
 
John Boyega in Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Star Wars Movies John Boyega says he's spoken to Lucasfilm president Dave Filoni about coming back to Star Wars
 
 
The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars Movies Star Wars fans are discussing one major moment in The Rise of Skywalker
 
 
Kylo Ren in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars Movies Steven Soderbergh isn't interested in reviving his scrapped Star Wars movie under new Disney and Lucasfilm leadership
 
 
Adam Driver as Kylo Ren in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Animated Movies Adam Driver accidentally "invented this thing that changed animation forever" as Kylo Ren: the Adam Driver bar
 
 
Star Wars Movies After 4 years of no Luke Skywalker, Star Wars fans are plotting ways in which he can return to the franchise
 
 
Latest in Star Wars Movies
Star Wars Force FX Elite Maul lightsaber hilt against a dark background
Toys & Collectibles I've been waiting years for this new Star Wars Force FX lightsaber based on Darth Maul
 
 
Rey in The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars Movies 7 years later, Star Wars fans are still mourning one huge missed opportunity with Rey in the sequels
 
 
Baby Yoda and some Anzellans in The Mandalorian and Grogu trailer
Star Wars Movies Baby Yoda gets eaten in new Mandalorian and Grogu TV spot
 
 
An alien food vendor voiced by Martin Scorsese in The Mandalorian & Grogu trailer.
Star Wars Movies Jon Favreau says Martin Scorsese did a "lot of improv" on Star Wars movie The Mandalorian and Grogu: "It's a highlight"
 
 
Din Djarin and Baby Yoda sitting together in the Super Bowl TV spot for The Mandalorian and Grogu
Star Wars Movies First clip from The Mandalorian and Grogu released, and it shows Grogu being a menace
 
 
Poe Dameron in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars Movies One of the most infamous Star Wars lines was added in reshoots, Oscar Isaac says
 
 
Latest in News
Invincible
Superhero Shows Robert Kirkman has ranked all four seasons of Invincible, and you might be surprised by his #1
 
 
Xbox
Games New Xbox head Asha Sharma says "we know we have work to do" as hardware sales sink another 33%
 
 
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced reveal showcase screenshot shows Edward attacking an enemy.
Assassin's Creed Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced HUD is optional as Ubisoft baked all the information you need into its animations
 
 
Hands holding Amazon shipping boxes in the air on an orange background
Hardware Amazon announces Prime Day 2026 is coming sooner than you think
 
 
Games Sony finally clarifies PlayStation DRM situation that set alarm bells ringing
 
 
Pikachu fainted, looking worn out on the ground in the Pokemon anime.
Tabletop Gaming Pokemon card resellers get their comeuppance with a cunning yet simple trick
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Xbox
    1
    New Xbox head Asha Sharma says "we know we have work to do" as quarterly hardware sales sink another 33%
  2. 2
    Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced lets you turn off the HUD as Ubisoft baked all the information you need into its animations, like enemies who lose their hats when their defense is broken
  3. 3
    Amazon announces Prime Day 2026 is coming sooner than you think
  4. 4
    Valve boss Gabe Newell set up Hideo Kojima with a SpaceX tour after Death Stranding showcase because "he was talking about how much he wants to go into space"
  5. 5
    Dbrand has launched a Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con holder that's "more comfortable than a Pro controller" but far cheaper

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...