Was Darth Revan lurking in The Rise of Skywalker? Let’s Dive Deep.
You wonder if Darth Revan, intriguing and dark from the Old Republic, made a surprise appearance in “The Rise of Skywalker.” Star Wars fans are curious. Let’s clarify: Revan didn’t appear on screen wielding a purple lightsaber. However, the Force reaches us through books too. In fact, Revan’s presence was hinted at through a companion book of the film.
What about that reference book? Is it considered canon? In the Star Wars galaxy, official sources matter. “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: The Visual Dictionary,” by Pablo Hidalgo, dropped a surprising mention. It confirmed that “an ancient Sith Lord named Revan was reestablished in the current Star Wars canon.” Yes, he is officially back in the Star Wars story.
This mention wasn’t mere fan service. Lucasfilm Story Group aimed to weave elements from the Legends continuity back into the official story. Legends represents the old Expanded Universe, now an alternate timeline. Revan mattered greatly in Legends, being central in “Knights of the Old Republic.” The Visual Dictionary’s mention is a nod to longtime fans, respecting Revan’s importance in the wider Star Wars mythology, despite no on-screen battles with Palpatine.
Revan’s Kin and Comparisons: Skywalker Saga Shenanigans
Now, let’s explore family ties and conflicts. Is Revan part of the Skywalker lineage? Did he babysit young Luke? Not exactly. There’s no official bloodline connection in canon between Revan and the Skywalker family. Yet discussions twist when we dive into older theories and non-canon concepts.
Some older lore suggested Anakin Skywalker could be a descendant of Revan. Wild idea! The Chosen One possibly carrying the genes of a legendary Jedi who became Sith. It adds dramatic irony. Anakin, destined to restore balance, might inherit from someone who embraced both sides of the Force.
One trivia note humorously stated “Anakin is a descendant of Revan.” Even if unproven, the idea was there. Still, officially, Revan and Anakin are separate. They exist in different times, like ancient artifacts in distinct museum wings.
Next, let’s compare Revan to faces from the sequel trilogy. Kylo Ren often receives comparisons to historical figures from Star Wars. Was Kylo a new version of Darth Revan? Definitely not. When “The Force Awakens” debuted, mystery surrounded Kylo Ren. Some fans theorized he could be Revan reborn. Yet as the story unfolded, Kylo’s identity revealed he was Ben Solo, Han and Leia’s son. His journey detailed a different story of redemption and darkness.
Interestingly, Kylo’s tale mirrors another character from Legends: Jacen Solo. Jacen, Han and Leia’s son, became Darth Caedus in Legends. The connections between Kylo and Jacen are more evident than any imagined relationship to Revan. Writers likely took cues from Jacen’s tragic descent when crafting Kylo’s arc instead of reworking Revan’s complex history.
Could Kylo draw inspiration from Revan thematically? Maybe. Both characters wrestle with the allure of light and dark. They are powerful Force s confronting inner turmoil. Yet Kylo idolized Darth Vader, wishing to replicate Vader’s ominous presence and ruthless legacy. Revan, as a Sith Lord, acted differently. He strategized and manipulated for greater goals than just emulating past villains. Thus, while thematic links exist, Kylo Ren wore a different mask than Darth Revan.
Revan Versus the Heavyweights: Vader, Rey, and Even Ezra?
Let’s dive into hypothetical showdowns! Could Darth Revan defeat Darth Vader? Internet discussions abound on this topic. Vader, iconic dark lord, versus Revan, tactical wiz. Many Revan as the likely victor. Why? He appeared to have fewer weaknesses. Mastery of light and dark sides made him formidable. His strategic mind guided his battles while Vader bore burdens from cybernetics and rage.
Some opinions boldly claim “Revan would likely win against Vader.” This isn’t just wishful fandom thinking. Revan’s skills encomed more than brute force; he employed cunning and adaptability. While Vader possessed raw power, he often relied on intimidation. Against Revan’s strategic methods, Vader may find himself outmatched.
What about Rey, the sequel trilogy hero? Would Revan defeat her in combat? Again, points go to Revan. Rey was powerful but lacked the extensive training of someone like Revan, who had decades (or centuries in Legends) leading troops and mastering the Force. Many argue that Revan’s superior power in both Force capabilities and lightsaber skills would overpower her. It’s a tough fight for Rey despite her strengths.
Now let’s venture into a strange comparison: Ezra Bridger from “Star Wars Rebels.” Once upon a time, online confusion led people to think Ezra were the same as Darth Revan. Clearly, they differ. Ezra trained as a Jedi Padawan while Revan thrived as an ancient figure from the Old Republic. Yet, a wild theory emerged suggesting Ezra might be Revan’s descendant. This theory revolved around a storyline with Darth Maul and gained traction in fan discussions. Nonetheless, it’s non-canon but showcases fandom creativity.
Darth Revan’s Backstory: From Jedi Hero to Sith Lord and Beyond
Let’s unearth layers of Revan’s story. Who was he before becoming the legend whispered in the Force? Darth Revan began as a Jedi Knight. Yes, he chose darkness or fell to it based on interpretation. His descent began during the Mandalorian Wars. These brutal conflicts drew Revan to conclude the Jedi Order acted too ively against the Mandalorians. Urged by urgency and misguided impulses to protect the Republic, Revan and Malak defied the Jedi Council to intervene in the conflict.
Revan gained fame as “the Revanchist,” leading a proactive Jedi movement
against the Mandalorians. He was first known as “the Revanchist Leader” in news stories. This name changed to simply “the Revanchist.” This name stuck. It became part of his legend.
During the Mandalorian Wars, Revan was not friendly with the Mandalorians. He was their main enemy. He fought them, studied their tactics, and ultimately conquered them. The Mandalorian mask he wears? He took it during a battle. It became a symbol of victory and absorbed the Mandalorian ethos into his persona.
Now, how did Darth Revan meet his end? In the Legends continuity, Revan’s death is a saga. He was not simply defeated in battle. Instead, he was captured and imprisoned by Darth Vitiate for 300 years. Imagine being a prisoner for three centuries! This imprisonment weakened Revan. Once freed by the Republic, he was not himself. His dark side resurfaced, taking control. Paradoxically, he assembled an army of droids to attack the Sith Empire. It’s a complicated storyline, typical of Legends material.
Even Revan’s spirit had a fate in Legends. Instead of merging with the Force, his spirit split into two parts: a light side that died peacefully and a dark side that retained control of his body. This split concept is unique. It highlights Revan’s internal struggle, even beyond death.
Revan’s Echo: Legacy and Appearances
Despite his complex story, Revan’s legacy persists. His actions rippled through the galaxy, influencing events later. One significant line is from Revan to Bastila Shan, a key figure in “Knights of the Old Republic.” This line leads to Satele Shan, a prominent Jedi Grand Master. She led the Jedi through crises, rediscovered Tython and Ahch-To. Revan’s lineage contributed to the Jedi Order’s strength in later eras.
Beyond the Visual Dictionary in “The Rise of Skywalker,” Revan’s canonicity got another boost. He was mentioned in “Shadow of the Sith.” This cements his re-establishment in the canon. His name appears in narrative fiction, hinting that his story may get explored in future projects. Fans hope for more than just mentions.
For many fans, Darth Revan’s most iconic appearances are in video games. He is central in “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic” and its sequel, “Star Wars: The Old Republic – Shadow of Revan.” These games allow players to step into Revan’s shoes, shape his destiny, and experience his story. He appears in “Star Wars Empire at War,” solidifying his place in the gaming side of Star Wars.
For those who want to include Revan in more games, there’s a mod for “Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order” that lets players be Darth Revan. The modding community’s love for him shows his lasting appeal on the fandom.
ing Cast: Nihilus, Jar Jar, Snoke, and Others
Let’s look at other characters often mentioned with Darth Revan. Darth Nihilus, another Sith Lord from “Knights of the Old Republic,” is compared to Revan for power. Nihilus craved life, capable of draining planets of their existence. Who would win—Revan or Nihilus? Many analyses favor Revan. Nihilus was powerful yet vulnerable to those who thought ahead and countered him. Revan had a strategic mind and strong Force abilities, seen as the overall winner. “Revan was the better duelist and smarter tactician,” as some claim.
Now, a tonal shift: Jar Jar Binks. Yes, you read right. The “Darth Jar Jar” theory suggests he is a Sith Lord. No, let’s dismiss that idea. “Jar Jar Binks is not a Sith Lord.” He is a Gungan. The theory is a fun fan creation. Nonetheless, there are Gungan Sith in lore. Kosa-Yin Hadu was a Gungan male Sith from the Republic era. Gungans can connect with the dark side; just not Jar Jar.
Back to the sequel trilogy, let’s discuss Snoke. Supreme Leader Snoke led the First Order. Was he a Sith Lord? “No, Supreme Leader Snoke is not a Sith Lord.” He used dark side powers but wasn’t a true Sith. He was created by Palpatine to manipulate Ben Solo to the dark side. Snoke was a tool, not a true lineage Sith.
Darth Malgus, another notable Sith from “The Old Republic,” deserves mention. Satele Shan defeated him dramatically, using the Force to bring down a cliff on him. Talk about a Force slam!
Darth Bane established the Rule of Two and is significant in Sith history. While many Sith Lords appear, “only six are detailed: Bane, Plagueis, Sidious, Maul, Tyranus, and Vader.” Bane’s legacy shaped the Sith for ages, leading to Palpatine’s rise.
Darth Vitiate imprisoned Revan in Legends. He was eventually destroyed by the efforts of the Outlander and Valkorion’s children. Vitiate was a powerful and long-lived Sith Emperor, a key antagonist in the Old Republic.
Ajunta Pall was “the first Sith called the Dark Lord of the Sith.” He was one of the first fallen Jedi who founded the Sith Order, marking the start of the Sith as an antagonistic force.
The canonical Sith Lords are “Bane, Plagueis, Sidious, Maul, Tyranus, and Vader.” They have significant backstory and development in the canon.
Force Abilities and s: Ezra, Anakin, Leia, and Sith Eyes
Let’s discuss Force s’ abilities in relation to Revan. Ezra Bridger trained under Kanan Jarrus. He became a Jedi Padawan and a key figure in the early Rebellion. Despite his growth, “Ezra is not as powerful as Luke Skywalker.” Luke’s Skywalker bloodline gives him a different level of Force potential.
Is Ezra still around? Yes, “Ezra Bridger is alive in the live-action Ahsoka series.” He was stranded on Peridea in another galaxy but has returned to the main Star Wars galaxy. His journey took him to Malachor, “a dark world with a dark history.” Malachor is where Jedi are warned to go, full of ancient battles and dark energies. Like many Jedi, “Ezra briefly gives into the dark side,” a common struggle.
for those walking the line between light and darkness.
Anakin Skywalker, the Chosen One, has a unique origin story. He was “conceived by the Force, with no biological father.” His mother, Shmi Skywalker, confirmed this miraculous conception. As Anakin descends to darkness, his eyes “turn yellow.” Yellow eyes signal dark side corruption in Star Wars.
Leia Organa, Luke’s sister, is also Force-sensitive. She is “less powerful than Luke.” However, Leia is “more naturally gifted in the Force than he ever…” This suggests Leia’s connection is innate, perhaps less reliant on training. She chose a path apart from Jedi Knighthood.
Sith eyes are those striking yellow eyes. They are a “visual manifestation of their deep connection to the dark side.” They appear “when rage, anger, and hatred are strong.” This trait signals a character’s embrace of darkness and serves as a warning sign to those around them.
Odds and Ends: Darksaber, Grey Jedi, Order 66, and Timelines
Let’s wrap up with some interesting tidbits. The Darksaber is a unique black-bladed lightsaber. It has a fascinating history. Some interpretations claim “Revan took the Darksaber back to Coruscant after Mandalore’s ing.” The Jedi kept it in their temple before of House Vizsla “liberated it.” The Darksaber’s journey is complex and intertwined with Jedi and Sith lore.
Was Revan a Grey Jedi? Generally, no. “REVAN was not a GREY JEDI.” Grey Jedi is a nebulous term for Force s between Jedi and Sith. Revan is more clearly defined within Jedi and Sith paradigms at different points in his life.
Order 66 was devastating. “Estimated less than 100 Jedi are believed to have survived Order 66.” The Great Jedi Purge was a systemic extermination that marked a dark chapter in Jedi history.
How old was Revan then? In “Knights of the Old Republic,” he is “estimated to be around 38 years old.” He is “presumed to have died at that age.” His Legends story extends beyond that age and era.
The Old Republic Era, Revan’s era, “takes place from 25,053 BBY to 1000 BBY.” This time covers the founding of the Republic and the tumultuous Jedi-Sith conflict. It culminates in the apparent vanquishing of the Sith around 1000 BBY. Yet, they returned later. The Old Republic is rich in Star Wars history. Darth Revan remains one of its most enduring figures. While he wasn’t in “The Rise of Skywalker,” his canonical re-entry through the Visual Dictionary ensures his legend continues in the Star Wars saga.
