When the Mortis arc of Star Wars: The Clone Wars aired over a decade ago, it captivated audiences with its deep and spiritual exploration of the Force, introducing the mysterious Father, Son, and Daughter. This trio, known as the Mortis Gods, represented the balance of the Force itself with the Daughter representing the light, the Son representing the dark, and the Father being the balance between the two. The story was a philosophical journey unlike anything seen before in the Star Wars saga. It delved into the very nature of light and dark, power and balance, fate, and the prophecy of the Chosen One. What many fans don’t know is that this iconic arc almost included a beloved character from the Star Wars Legends continuity: Darth Revan. However, the scene was ultimately left on the cutting room floor.
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Introducing Darth Revan— a fan favorite since the critically acclaimed video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic— would have bridged the gap between old and new canon. While Revan was later made canon in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: Visual Dictionary, this fascinating piece of Star Wars history reveals the delicate balance Lucasfilm and Disney has maintained between honoring its past and forging its future.
The Son’s Descent into the Well of Darkness Originally Included Darth Revan
The three-episode Mortis arc follows Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Ahsoka Tano as they find themselves in a surreal realm where the Force is more alive and concentrated than anywhere else in the galaxy. At the heart of this realm are the powerful Gods— the Father, the Son, and the Daughter. The arc reaches its climax in the episode “Ghosts of Mortis” when the Son kills the Daughter in a fit of rage and desperation to gain control. The Son’s actions throw the Force out of balance, and he seeks refuge in a mysterious location known as the Well of Darkness.
The Well of Darkness is a place of untapped dark side energy, and it is here that the Son realizes the extent of his actions. He is conflicted, reeling with grief and guilt over what he has done. It is in this moment of weakness and internal struggle that the dark side voices began to whisper to him, calling him weak for weeping. Initially, the forms behind these voices are not seen but their intentions are clear— they are manipulating the Son to fully embrace the dark side and betray his father. It is here that one of the most significant moments in Star Wars history was almost made.
As the Son cries in conflict, voices, including those of Darth Bane and Darth Revan, begin to taunt him. The Son demands that the voices reveal themselves, as they have been whispering to and manipulating him for what’s implied to be a great length of time. The dark side apparitions of Darth Revan and Darth Bane appear before him, large and imposing. They tell the Son that they are “the ones who came before, the ones who were betrayed, those who hate, [and] are wielders of the dark side.”
This revelation would have been massive for fans of the now non-canonical Legends continuity, as it would have officially brought two of the most popular and powerful Sith Lords into the new canon. The scene, however, was ultimately cut from the final episode, as it apparently clashed with George Lucas’ vision of how the Force worked.
While Darth Revan would eventually be made canon in the art book Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: Visual Dictionary and Darth Bane appeared in a later episode of Season 6 of The Clone Wars, the initial plan for Revan’s reveal was lost and still has never made it to animation or live action. This scene, now an almost forgotten piece of Star Wars history, remains a fascinating “what if” for fans.
Darth Revan’s Legacy is Still Felt Throughout Star Wars Even in Their Absence
Darth Revan holds a special place in the hearts of Star Wars fans. Revan’s story is one of redemption and tragedy— a journey from Jedi hero to Sith Lord and back again. As a powerful Jedi Knight, Revan led the Republic forces in the Mandalorian Wars, but in doing so, became a Sith Lord. Under the influence of the Sith Emperor, Vitiate, Revan established his own Sith Empire. Eventually, Revan was betrayed by his apprentice, Darth Malak, and his mind was wiped by the Jedi Council. The game’s protagonist (the player), is revealed to be the now amnesiac Revan, who must piece together his past while fighting to save the galaxy from Malak.
This story captivated fans and solidified Revan’s place as one of the most complex and beloved characters in the Star Wars universe. The character’s popularity hasn’t waned in decades, leading to a high demand for Revan to be included in a meaningful and detailed way. The inclusion of Darth Revan in the Mortis arc would have been a huge moment, as it would have not only brought a fan favorite character into the fold, but also opened the door for more Old Republic content to be explored in the current canon. It would have also been one of the first time a character from the Legends continuity was made canon in such a significant way— a trend that has become more common in recent years. For now, Revan’s legacy remains in the hands of the fans who keep his story alive.
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