AI Summary

Star Wars’ most iconic villain, Palpatine—also known as Darth Sidious—first appeared on screen in *The Empire Strikes Back* and has remained a central figure through the prequel trilogy and *The Rise of Skywalker*. His presence has spanned more than four decades, making him one of the franchise’s longest‑running antagonists. Despite his enduring influence, the series is now shifting focus to a new main villain, signaling a move away from Palpatine’s dominance.

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