One of the most important characters in the Star Wars universe, Emperor Palpatine, was considered for development as a series. According to Ian McDiarmid's recent statements, George Lucas had planned to work on a television series exploring Palpatine's consolidation of power after the fall of the Republic. However, it seems that this project was likely to take place at the wrong time.

McDiarmid mentioned at an event at SpaceCon San Antonio that Lucas shared the idea of a Palpatine-focused series. This series would address the Emperor's early years, the challenges he faced with the new Imperial regime, and assassination attempts. McDiarmid expressed that Lucas found this project exciting and hoped he could be involved in the process.

However, while many series take place during dark times, I believe it would be more appropriate for the Palpatine series to occur in an earlier period, before the prequels. This could help us better understand the character's depth and background. It is also possible that Lucas might be recalling ideas related to the canceled Star Wars: Underworld series.

In conclusion, a deeper exploration of Palpatine's story presents a significant opportunity for Star Wars fans. However, the period in which this project takes place will be one of the most crucial factors determining the story's success.