Part 3/10:
Original Villain and Casting Changes
One notable detail is the report that Matt Smith was initially cast as the film's primary antagonist—a villain meant to serve as a new, original character. Interestingly, this villain was not a clone of Emperor Palpatine but an entirely different entity. However, ultimately, the studio demanded the return of Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) because, as they allegedly believed, audiences would not understand or accept an unfamiliar villain.
Additionally, there were rumors that Smith’s original role was linked to the "Mortis" arc from Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which explores mystical Force beings like the Sun, Daughter, and Father. Some fans speculated that Smith was intended to be the son of the Mortis gods, hinting at deeper lore that was ultimately cut.