Early construction of the Death Star was shown at the end of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, but I’d completely missed that Star Wars teased plans for this weapon well before that. The Death Star has become one of the most iconic symbols in Star Wars movies and TV shows, not only because of the extent of the devastation it could cause (which was considerable on its own) but also because it showed the ruthlessness of the Empire. Neither Darth Vader nor Governor Tarkin hesitated whatsoever to wipe out billions of innocents.

Despite how terrible the Death Star proved to be, it was admittedly thrilling to see the weapon at the end of Revenge of the Sith. Palpatine and Vader are shown looking out a window to see the early stages of construction—an ominous reminder of the horrors to come. In all the times I’ve watched what I consider to be one of Star Wars’ best movies, though, I’d never realized that the Death Star is teased even earlier on in Revenge of the Sith.

Palpatine Is Openly Studying The Death Star Plans In Revenge Of The Sith

I Can’t Believe How Brazen Palpatine Really Was

It’s no secret that Palpatine was a crafty manipulator throughout nearly the entire Star Wars timeline that’s been shown on screen thus far. Even knowing that, though, I can’t believe how brazen Palpatine really was in the prequel trilogy, especially Revenge of the Sith, before the Jedi had even fallen. He wasn’t just hiding himself in the Force and stoking the flames of the Clone Wars to his advantage; he was openly planning the Empire, seemingly without any fear.

Specifically, Palpatine was reviewing the plans for the Death Star in his office in Revenge of the Sith, with seemingly no concern about who could walk in and see what he was doing. In fact, Palpatine had the door to his office wide open and his back turned to the entrance. He surely would have sensed someone nearing his office in the Force, but this is nevertheless a shocking demonstration of his brazenness—and it reveals just how long he had been planning for all that transpired.

Work On The Death Star Began Before The Republic’s Fall

Palpatine Was Countless Steps Ahead

Although the end of Revenge of the Sith showed the actual construction of the Death Star, clearly, this plan had been in the works for quite some time. This just goes to show how confident Palpatine was that his long-term plan of establishing his Empire would work. It also reinforces that the Jedi and the Republic never really had a chance. Palpatine was just too very ahead at every turn.

Star Wars’ books have provided even more insight into this plan, suggesting that, while Palpatine was obviously still concealing his true intentions, this may not have been an entirely secretive operation. Rather, in the canon Star Wars book Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel, written by James Luceno, it’s confirmed that Palpatine had tricked the Republic, convincing them that this was a weapon the Separatists had planned to create, and the Republic needed to beat them to the punch.

Purchase Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel

This Revenge of the Sith scene supports that idea, particularly because of how openly Palpatine was reviewing these plans. The deception regarding the Separatists gave Palpatine plausible deniability and kept him safe from being discovered. Even so, I’m truly shocked I never realized Star Wars directly teased the Death Star before the Republic fell in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.