As reported by PopVerse, the actor behind Emperor Palpatine shared new comments during a panel at Spacecon 2026, reflecting on Lucas’ expectations for the trilogy and the audience he hoped to reach.
Ian McDiarmid Recalls George Lucas’ Perspective on the Prequel Era
Speaking to fans at the event, McDiarmid reflected on the staying power of the franchise and the generations that have embraced it over the years. Looking back on the prequel trilogy’s release, he recalled that Lucas never assumed the films would immediately win over everyone. “He saw early on, well, maybe his generation, my generation really, who saw the original movies will be a bit picky,” the actor said.
McDiarmid remembered how strongly children connected with the trilogy when it first arrived in theaters. “The kids were completely knocked out by it,” he stated, describing the enthusiastic response that contrasted with the criticism often dominating fan discussions at the time.
The performer also shared what he described as Lucas’ guiding philosophy during that period. “I make these films for everybody, but if an 8-year-old is happy, I’ll feel I’ve done my work,” Lucas reportedly told him.
The comments arrive at a moment when the prequel trilogy enjoys a far warmer reputation than it did during its original run. Many viewers who first discovered “The Phantom Menace,” “Attack of the Clones,” and “Revenge of the Sith” as children have since become a major part of the franchise’s fanbase.
Meanwhile, “Star Wars” continues to grow under Lucasfilm’s current leadership, with projects including “Ahsoka” Season 2, “Star Wars: Starfighter” starring Ryan Gosling, and Daisy Ridley‘s upcoming return as Rey helping chart the saga’s next chapter.