Over the course of the Skywalker Saga, Star Wars has told one epic, interconnected story. Not every movie has been perfect and there are creative decisions which still have us scratching our heads (particularly in the sequels). Among them is why certain scenes ended up on the cutting room floor.
That's the case for any big movie, of course, and a lot were scrapped for the usual pacing or plot reasons. Some, however, would have potentially changed the franchise as we know it, better fleshing out certain characters or moments and even setting the stage for bigger stories which still haven't been told.
In this feature, we're looking back at 8 huge Star Wars deleted scenes which should have never been cut. As well as detailing what happened, we've included the scenes where available and attempt to explain what they might have ultimately led to.
To check them out, tap on the "Next" button below or click HERE to read this feature on one page at SFFGazette.com.
8. Anakin Skywalker Attacks Greedo
When we met Anakin Skywalker in The Phantom Menace, we saw little of the man he would one day become. In fact, an argument could be made that George Lucas failed to show the darkness within him until Attack of the Clone's infamous Sand Trooper slaughter.
In this deleted scene, we find Anakin attacking a Rodian who accused him of cheating in the Boonta Eve Podrace.
Qui-Gon Jinn steps in to break the fight up and offers Anakin some advice on how to control his temper (something we know he struggled with prior to becoming Darth Vader). As for the Rodian, one of the other kids warns Greedo - yes, that Greedo - he's likely to one day meet a "bad end."
7. Luke Skywalker Creates His New Lightsaber
In a cave on Tatooine prior to Luke Skywalker's arrival at Jabba's palace, we found the Jedi Knight putting the finishing touches to his lightsaber.
He's then shown placing it inside R2-D2, a moment which will obviously be important later in Return of the Jedi. However, just as noteworthy is the fact Darth Vader is shown simultaneously trying to reach out to his son through the Force.
Luke doesn't respond, leaving it ambiguous as to whether he's ignoring his father or somehow being influenced by the Sith Lord. The fact Vader wants to connect with his son also better explains his actions down the line.
6. Korr Sella
The Force Awakens was far too similar to A New Hope and, while it introduced plenty of compelling mysteries, it struggled to flesh out the Galaxy at this particular moment in time.
For example, we're supposed to care when the First Order destroyed the Senate on Hosnian Prime, but neither the planet nor its inhabitants meant anything to viewers at this stage. Had this brief scene been included, we'd have learned Princess Leia was considered something of an outcast due to her role in the Resistance and that the ineffective New Republic had refused to take action against the First Order.
Korr Sella's demise would have also ended up hitting a lot harder.
5. The Rebel Alliance Is Born
It wasn't really until Rogue One: A Star Wars Story that we learned more about the Rebel Alliance's formation and this Revenge of the Sith deleted scene better teed up what was to come.
An entire subplot was scrapped which was going to show more of Bail Organa and Padmé Amidala's attempts to stop the new Republic from being overthrown by the increasingly powerful Chancellor Palpatine.
Mon Mothma was even going to be showcased and, while this is technically more of the political drama many fans hated, it's also not too dissimilar to what's now working so well in Andor.
4. Luke Skywalker Mourns Han Solo
The sequel trilogy will likely forever divide opinions, but even its biggest supporters will surely have to agree that Luke, Leia, and Han Solo never sharing the screen was a massive blunder on Lucasfilm's part.
Han was killed by Kylo Ren in The Force Awakens and, cut off from the Force, it wasn't until The Last Jedi that Luke learned what became of his old friend. A tearful Luke was going to be shown mourning his fallen ally, adding greater emotional depth to his journey and the film itself.
Instead, this ended up on the cutting room floor and the impact of Han's death was largely minimal. That's a disservice to the character and Harrison Ford.