Maybe the biggest reveal in cinematic history is in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back when Darth Vader tells Luke, "I am your father." This sequence was somewhat replicated in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, with Rey learning she is a descendant of Emperor Palpatine. Apparently, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith cut a similar revelation.

In Revenge of the Sith, a cut line was supposed to be featured after Anakin Skywalker and Palpatine double team Jedi Master Mace Windu and fling him out of the skyscraper window. While Anakin is kneeling, after he betrayed the Jedi Order and entirely devotes himself to the dark side, Palpatine was initially going to reveal that he had a role in Anakin's birth. In Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, viewers are told that Anakin had no father, mirroring the biblical story of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Also, in Phantom Menace, it's important to note that the biological, microscopic organism midi-chlorians, the power behind the Force, is detailed, and it's via the manipulation of these midi-chlorians that Palpatine says he was able to create Anakin.

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Revenge of the Sith Almost Gave Palpatine a Big Secret

Palpatine's and Anakin's Revenge of the Sith conversation played out as follows in the original script:

DARTH SIDIOUS: I arranged for your conception. I used the power of the Force to will the midi-chlorians to start the cell divisions that created you."

ANAKIN-- "I don't believe you."

DARTH SIDIOUS-- "Ahhh, but you know it's true. When you clear your mind, you will sense the truth. You could almost think of me as your father."

In reality, this cut line is more similar to Rise of Skywalker's plot than the original, iconic line from Empire Strikes Back. Palpatine being Anakin's "father" is reminiscent of the Emperor being Rey's grandfather, who, as it turns out, was the offspring of a human and a Palpatine clone. There's also another line in the movie that mirrors the cut Revenge of the Sith dialogue. When Kylo Ren first visits Exegol in Rise of Skywalker, Palpatine explains that he has "been every voice [Kylo] ever heard inside [his] head" as the audio transitions between Supreme Leader Snoke, Lord Vader and Darth Sidious. This line seems similar to Revenge of the Sith's removed dialogue, as Palpatine reveals that he's been more involved in Kylo's upbringing in the sequel trilogy than previously expected, just like he could have been with Anakin.

Many fans were irritated by the mere mention of midi-chlorians in The Phantom Menace because it changed the perception of the Force from being a spiritual energy honed through deep meditation and training to a scientific and quantifiable microorganism. It's interesting to contemplate how viewers would have reacted to Palpatine's reveal that he essentially manipulated the Force to create Anakin so that one day he could corrupt him into becoming his dark side apprentice. This concept could have potentially added more depth to the midi-chlorians revelation. It's also entirely possible that this line remaining in the movie could have further damaged fans' understanding of the Force.

Related: How Darth Vader Wishes a Major Revenge of the Sith Moment Played Out

Revenge of the Sith's Cut Line Could Have Better Explained Palpatine's Powers

Darth Vader reveals that he is Luke Skywalker's father in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

Knowing what Stars Wars fans know now, one can't help but wonder if this secret could have provided more context and background on the sheer extent of Palpatine's powers. In the end, Palpatine's strength allowed him to escape death, create clones of himself, and even manipulate the creation of life if this line were to be considered canon. Keeping the cut dialogue could have given insight into just how strong the Emperor was and helped explain his surprise return in Rise of Skywalker.

Regardless, fans of the Star Wars lore can argue whether this line being removed was a misstep or the right step. However, if it remained in the prequel trilogy, it would have created some confusion concerning Palpatine's "unfatherly" dynamic in the original trilogy. Wherever people's opinions fall regarding this potential bombshell, the father-son connection would seem fitting in a Star Wars film.