A figure long shrouded in Sith legend is finally stepping into the spotlight—at least, he was supposed to.
According to Star Wars veteran Ian McDiarmid, a prequel series centered on Darth Plagueis was in development before plans shifted behind the scenes at Lucasfilm. The revelation comes as the Star Wars franchise finds itself at a critical crossroads, with canceled projects, evolving creative priorities, and persistent fan interest shaping what comes next in a galaxy far, far away.
One of the latest casualties in the franchise’s live-action portfolio is The Acolyte, a Disney+ original series that charted new territory in the Star Wars timeline. Set during the High Republic era, centuries before the Skywalker saga, the show aimed to examine the dark side’s emergence during the Jedi’s peak. Helmed by Leslye Headland, the series boasted an ambitious scope and a distinct tone—one that challenged the franchise’s well-worn narrative pathways.
Despite its initial promise and built-in plans for continuation, The Acolyte was officially canceled after just one season. Featuring a diverse ensemble cast led by Amandla Stenberg (Osha/Mae Aniseya), Lee Jung-jae (Jedi Master Sol), Manny Jacinto (Qimir/The Stranger), and Jodie Turner-Smith (Mother Aniseya), the show initially launched strong—but ultimately failed to maintain momentum.
And yet, new data suggests that The Acolyte may have been shelved too soon. According to analytics compiled by Parrot Analytics, the show’s audience demand—factoring in viewership, online engagement, and social chatter—outpaces several high-profile Star Wars offerings released in recent years.
While those numbers present a compelling case for revisiting the show’s cancellation, the reality appears to be more complicated. According to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman, high production costs—reportedly exceeding $230 million—played a key role in the decision to halt the series.
What’s more, the show’s abrupt ending left a number of major story arcs unfinished—chief among them the live-action debut of Darth Plagueis. The character appeared briefly in the series finale (“Episode 8, “The Acolyte”), reintroducing a dark figure who has long captivated fans of Sith lore.
Though rarely discussed, Darth Plagueis holds an outsized place in Star Wars mythology. First referenced in Star Wars: Episode III–Revenge of the Sith (2005), the Sith Lord was described by Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) in one of the film’s most memorable scenes: “The Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise.” The tale—a chilling Sith parable—details a master of the Force so powerful he could manipulate life and death itself. While unnamed at the time, it’s implied that Plagueis was Palpatine’s own mentor, ultimately betrayed and murdered in accordance with Sith tradition.
Now, nearly two decades later, the character is reentering the cultural conversation. The 20th-anniversary re-release of Revenge of the Sith proved to be a box office winner for Lucasfilm, bringing in over $42 million globally during its limited weekend return. The milestone has reignited interest in the mysterious Sith figure—and McDiarmid has now confirmed that Plagueis was once the subject of a planned live-action series.
In a recent interview with Variety, McDiarmid offered a rare glimpse into what might have been. When asked about a potential Palpatine-focused project, the actor clarified, “Just the story of Darth Plagueis the Wise,” adding, “It’s fairly obvious that my character murdered Plagueis on his road to becoming Palpatine. But beyond that, no.”
For fans, this revelation opens the door to renewed speculation about Lucasfilm’s long-term plans for the character—and whether the success of recent anniversary events and lingering interest in The Acolyte could inspire a new direction.
Beyond his brief appearance on screen, Darth Plagueis has been most thoroughly explored in James Luceno’s “Darth Plagueis” (2012), a Legends-era novel that delves into the character’s life, teachings, and tragic downfall. Though the book is no longer canon under Disney’s current Star Wars continuity, it remains a seminal text for devoted fans.
In the book, Plagueis is a Muun named Hego Damask, a banking magnate and secret Sith Lord whose influence reaches into galactic finance, politics, and dark-side experimentation.
Obsessed with mastering the Force to conquer death, Plagueis’s experiments with midi-chlorians anticipated the same resurrection themes seen in Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker (2019), which revealed the return of Palpatine and his connection to Rey. The novel also explores the early life of Sheev Palpatine, culminating in the apprentice’s betrayal of his master, cementing one of the darkest chapters in Sith history.
Ultimately, Darth Plagueis represents the ultimate Sith ambition: total domination over life itself. Though his name is barely mentioned, his influence permeates the entire Skywalker saga, casting a long shadow over everything from Anakin’s fall to the Emperor’s return. With interest in the character only growing, the question now is whether Lucasfilm will answer the call to bring his full story to life.
As for Palpatine, his controversial resurrection in the sequel trilogy may not be the last we see of him. Supplemental material—including books, comics, and animated series like Dave Filoni’s The Bad Batch—has continued to expand the lore around his survival and legacy. Whether this thread connects back to Plagueis in the future remains to be seen.
How do you feel about a Darth Plagueis Star Wars series? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!
