CT Emperor Palpatine Chair Designs and Blueprints

Emperor Palpatine Chair Designs and Blueprints

Detailed informations on Designs sources and blueprints of Emperor Palpatine chair from Return of the Jedi (1983).


There is information available about who designed the chair Palpatine uses in Episode III. I'm looking for similar information regarding his throne in Episode VI.





Emperor Palpatine chair

Resources From Star Wars Chronicles


Star Wars Storyboards: The Original Trilogy




The Making of Return of the Jedi

The Star Wars Archives: Episodes IV–VI, 1977–1983




The Making of Return of the Jedi




The Art of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi




Emperor Palpatine's chair sculpted in polystyrene by Keith Short







I find it interesting that at some point somebody changed the leather pattern on the chair so the back matched the seat, instead of having contrasting strips like in Joe Johnston's sketch and the initial sculpture.

They also carried the padding up to the very top of the chair, whereas in the sculpture there was a dark void that framed the crown of the Emperor's head, rather like an anti-halo. Was that meant to have a glowing panel installed at one point like in the Johnston sketch? I can see how that might make lighting his face difficult on set.






Emperor Palpatine Inflatable Floating Pool Chair With lights and Air conditioning