Everyone was blindsided by that maniacal laugh at the end of the first Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker trailer, which confirmed that Emperor Palpatine was back.

However, it seems that bringing back the iconic villain wasn't always part of the plan – at least when original director Colin Trevorrow was on board.

If you remember, the Jurassic World director was originally on board to direct Episode 9 before being removed due to creative differences in 2017.

Lucasfilm

JJ Abrams subsequently took over, and Trevorrow has now revealed that the Palpatine twist was actually the new director's idea.

"Bringing back the Emperor was an idea JJ brought to the table when he came on board," he told Empire. "It's honestly something I never considered. I commend him for it. This was a tough story to unlock, and he found the key."

Trevorrow will be getting a credit on The Rise of Skywalker, and further explained that some of his ideas were incorporated into the movie.

Gregg DeGuire/WireImage Getty Images

"I'm not sure anyone who chooses the creative life should expect things," he said. "But I'm grateful to JJ [Abrams] for embracing some of our ideas. It's exciting that fans will get to see the moments that felt essential to all of us."

Meanwhile, Abrams has responded to criticism that his last Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens, was too similar to A New Hope.

"I completely get the criticism, and for those who found it too much of an overlap, I say, 'I totally hear you and respect the review,'" he said.



"But the idea was to continue the story and to begin with this young woman who felt like Luke Skywalker was a myth. And to tell a story that was not just history repeating itself, but a story that embraced the movies that we know as the actual history of this galaxy."

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is released in UK cinemas on December 19 and US cinemas on December 20.

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