JJ Abrams Reveals Favorite Star Wars Prequel Scene

While many fans would prefer to axe them from their memories, the Star Wars prequels do have moments of merit and importance for the future filmmakers in the franchise and J.J. Abrams (The Rise of Skywalker), the man responsible for bringing the series back to life, has revealed his favorite scene from the prequel trilogy.

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In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the 53-year-old writer/director revealed that the pivotal moment of the prequels for him comes in the form of Revenge of the Sith when Ian McDiarmid’s Emperor Palpatine discusses the history of Darth Plagueis. The story, called a “Sith legend,” goes that he was a Dark Lord who lived years prior to the start of the saga and that he became so powerful in the ways of the Force he could create life and keep those he cared about alive.

Palpatine uses the tale to influence the impressionable Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) towards the ways of the Sith, which can be seen in the player below!

“There’s just something about that scene,” Abrams says. “There’s just two people sitting there. It’s visually interesting. But I just think Ian’s performance in it is spectacular.”

Abrams crediting his favorite scene from the prequel involves McDiarmid’s Palpatine is an interesting choice given that the actor is set to reprise the previously dead character in the upcoming closure to the Skywalker Saga, The Rise of Skywalker, which is hitting theaters next month.

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Returning cast members for The Rise of Skywalker include Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo and Billie Lourd. Joining the cast are Naomi Ackie (Doctor Who), Richard E. Grant (Logan), Dominic Monaghan (Lord of the Rings), and Keri Russell (The Americans), who will also be joined by veteran Star Wars actors Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels and Billy Dee Williams, who will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian. The role of Leia Organa will once again be played by Carrie Fisher, using previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

In addition to directing, Abrams co-wrote the screenplay with Chris Terrio (Argo, Justice League). Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, and Abrams will produce, with Callum Greene and Jason McGatlin executive producing. Composer John Williams, who has scored every chapter in the Star Wars saga since 1977’s A New Hope, will return to a galaxy far, far away with Rise of Skywalker.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is scheduled for release on December 20.