Which evil villain should we expect to see in Star Wars Episode VII?

Star Wars Episode VII production is still a long way from being done, but rumors about the antagonists for the upcoming trilogy have been plentiful.

There are those still hoping Darth Vader will reappear for Episode VII. However, true Star Wars buffs feel this is highly unlikely, except for a potential flashback.

Latino Review recently reported that we can expect the new trilogy to feature a new set of villains. Their sources claim that all of the new villains however, answer to one puppet master — Emperor Palpatine.

RUMOR: Emperor Palpatine will return in ‘Star Wars Episode VII’! #HYPE! pic.twitter.com/B5oJTjndb0

— Superhero Report (@SuperheroReport) August 23, 2014

The report goes on to say that we can expect a new cast member to play the role of the evil Sith emperor this time as actor Ian McDiarmid won’t put on the robe anymore.

Others take this to mean that an appearance by The Emperor in the new film would either be really brief or that the rumor is completely false. McDiarmid was originally cast as The Emperor in Return of the Jedi, and also returned to play a younger Palpatine in the prequel trilogy. He was also inserted into The Empire Strikes Back Special Edition. Given his previous involvement, it would be unusual for him not to return for a scene or two for the new Star Wars trilogy.

We can only wait and see at this point, but already fans have mixed reaction to Emperor Palpatine’s return. On one hand, it would lend a sense of symmetry to this new Star Wars trilogy.  On the other, the same old villain may not bring as much excitement to look forward to.

Star Wars Episode VII is scheduled for release in December 2015. It is produced by Walt Disney Pictures, Lucasfilm, and Bad Robot Productions. The cast includes stars John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Max von Sydow, Lupita Nyong’o, and Gwendoline Christie. Actors Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Kenny Baker will also be reprising their roles from previous films.