When Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi hit theaters in December 2017, it stirred fierce debate among fans and critics alike. Director Rian Johnson delivered a bold and subversive chapter in the Skywalker Saga, deconstructing Jedi mythology and expectations around legacy and heroism, and I have never been quiet about my thoughts on what Johnson did in The Last Jedi. However, like any large-scale film, The Last Jedi left a wealth of footage on the cutting room floor—scenes that offered deeper character development, alternate plot beats, and insights into the director’s evolving vision.
Let’s explore some of the most notable deleted scenes and unused footage from The Last Jedi, many of which were later released on home media or discussed in interviews.
Luke Mourning Han Solo
One of the most poignant deleted scenes shows Luke Skywalker reacting to the news of Han Solo’s death. After Rey tells him of Han’s fate, Luke retreats into his stone hut on Ahch-To and mourns in solitude. This quiet, emotional moment humanizes Luke, showing the grief and guilt he carries over his failures. While it was ultimately cut for pacing, many fans felt this scene would have added emotional resonance and paid better tribute to Han’s legacy.
Finn and Phasma’s Extended Confrontation
The theatrical version of the Finn vs. Captain Phasma duel is brief, but the deleted scene features a longer and more intense standoff. In this version, Finn calls Phasma out in front of her own troops, exposing her cowardice during the destruction of Starkiller Base (The Force Awakens). When the stormtroopers hesitate, Phasma executes them to maintain control—highlighting her ruthlessness and fear of exposure. This longer take provides a richer climax to their rivalry and strengthens Finn’s arc as someone who confronts systemic oppression head-on.
Rey’s Third Lesson
Throughout The Last Jedi, Luke promises Rey three lessons about the Jedi. Only two made it into the final cut, leaving fans wondering about the third. In the deleted scene known as “The Caretaker Village Sequence,” Rey observes what appears to be a raid on the native caretakers by offworlders. She rushes to intervene, only to find Luke tricked her—he staged the event to teach her that Jedi intervention often leads to unintended consequences. While intriguing thematically, Johnson cut the scene to maintain focus and avoid derailing the pacing.
Rose and Paige’s Moment
A tender moment between Rose Tico and her sister Paige (who dies in the film’s opening) was filmed to show their bond before the attack on the Dreadnought. Though brief, it would have added emotional weight to Paige’s sacrifice and helped viewers connect more deeply with Rose’s motivations. Its removal underscores the tension between emotional depth and the film’s swift narrative momentum.
BB-8’s Alternate Hijinks
Several scenes of BB-8 causing chaos aboard the Supremacy—Snoke’s flagship—were trimmed or removed entirely. One scene featured BB-8 disguising himself as an Imperial droid using a trash can lid, a moment of slapstick humor reminiscent of classic Star Wars. While amusing, these scenes were scaled back to keep the tone more consistent during the high-stakes infiltration.
Additional Resistance and Canto Bight Moments
Numerous smaller moments were filmed involving Resistance members, including extra dialogue for Poe Dameron that elaborated on his growth as a leader. Extended scenes from Canto Bight explored the city’s class structure and the plight of the oppressed stable children in more detail. These additions fleshed out the socio-political themes of the film but were pared down to avoid slowing the central narrative.
Alternate Opening
Although not filmed, early storyboards and concept art reveal that an alternate opening was considered where Finn would awaken from his coma in a more dramatic fashion—possibly on a Resistance medical frigate amid a First Order attack. While ultimately discarded, this version would have thrown audiences into immediate action while reinforcing Finn’s disoriented state post-The Force Awakens.
Why These Scenes Were Cut
Rian Johnson has explained that many of these scenes were removed not because they were bad, but because they slowed the pacing, repeated emotional beats, or detracted from the story’s core themes. However, their inclusion in the Blu-ray release and commentary tracks has given fans a deeper understanding of the characters and world, and sparked renewed appreciation for what might have been.
Legacy of the Deleted Material
In hindsight, the deleted scenes from The Last Jedi serve as a window into the film’s broader ambitions. They offer nuanced perspectives on Luke’s isolation, Finn’s defiance, and Rey’s moral growth—while enriching the political and ethical themes of the sequel trilogy. While not essential to the final cut, they remain an important part of the Star Wars canon for fans who wish to explore the story’s full depth.