This week's JC hot topic highlights the perfect actor to portray the dual role of Palpatine/Darth Sidious, Ian McDiarmid. From the slimy role as Emperor Palpatine in Return of the Jedi to his seemingly innocent beginnings in The Phantom Menace, here are a few posts praising the actor from the JC's AOTC forum:

The Fantastic Ian McDiarmid

Darthkarma
As usual, Mr. McDiarmid did a sensational job as Palpatine/Sidious. From his plea to Amidala (so manipulative), "do it for me Senator." To his buttering up Anakin's ego, "I have said many times...you will one day be the greatest of all Jedi." To his insincere, "I love democracy, I love the Republic.." and best of all, the way he says "Welcome home, Lord Tyranus." The way he says "tyranus" is great. A mighty big thumbs up for Ian McDiarmid. One more reason STAR WARS is great. You notice the critics NEVER PICK on his performances or line readings. They always ignore the quality things about star wars and try to zero in on the weaknesses. It's a good thing too that don't jack with Palpatine. One wouldn't want to get zapped with force lightning.

KaaShamau
I love his manipulation of Jar Jar, so deliberatly over the top, fantastic.

NiktosRule
One of my only complaints about he movie was we didn't see enough of Palpatine.

Darth_OlsenTwins
Amen, brother. Ian Mcdiarmid is probably the best actor in this movie besides Ewan. I love the way he is ruthless as Sidious, and then becomes so innocent, and even naive, as Chancellor Palpatine.

G-FETT
I have been raving about Ian McDiarmid ever since I joined these boards. He's a Brilliant theatrical actor, in the classic sense. Except for Sir Alec Guiness, Star Wars probably hasn't had a better actor. He will come into his own during Episode III! He will be so important in that movie, that the Critics won't be able to ignore him.

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