'Star Wars 7' News, Casting SPOILERS, Emperor Palpatine Returns? [VIDEO]: Ian McDiarmid Clone Rumors, Ray Park Reprises Darth Maul Role?

Despite a disappointing Disney D23 Expo over the weekend, there are still rumors circulating about the 2015, J.J. Abrams-directed movie Star Wars: Episode VII. In fact, the latest piece of gossip is about a returning cast member from the original AND the prequel trilogies. Ian McDiarmid, the actor who portrayed Emperor Palpatine and Darth Sidious in the Star Wars movies, is apparently returning to reprise his role. But didn't the Emperor die at the end of Return of the Jedi? Yes, but they can work around that.

Rumors about McDiarmid's casting in Episode VII have been circulating since March of 2013, so take this with a grain of salt. It is, however, possible to have Palpatine return. He would have to be a clone, though. This is not far fetched at all in the Star Wars universe, so perhaps we could see a return of the Emperor in 2015.

McDiarmid's rumored return, as stated above, first came about in March due to another rumor. Sources claimed that the main villain in the new film would be a Palpatine follower bent on revenge of some sort. So working in a clone of the Emperor could be in the cards.

What do you think of this casting rumor? Let us know in the comments section below!

One of Palpatine's followers was Darth Maul, who met his demise in The Phantom Menace. Though the character was alive and (semi-) well in the "Expanded Universe," the character has been gone a very long time in terms of the films. That hasn't stopped the actor who portrayed him, Ray Park, from talking about Maul's return to the big screen.

"I've said that I would play anything to do with Star Wars," he said. "But really, deep down, I would love to come back as Darth Maul - that's what I want to do. I would go crazy, go mental, lock myself in a cabin, you know. Do the whole 'method' for two or three months, spear-fishing and stuff, just to play the character again."

Would you like to see the return of Darth Maul or would you rather Park play a newer character if cast?