Originally published October 21, 2016. Updated April 16, 2018.
In the build up to the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, it was rumoured that the film would include a flashback sequence of the Bespin duel from The Empire Strikes Back, something that seemed to be supported by the release of Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker figures as part of The Force Awakens’ toy line.
Well, it turns out that was almost the case, with The Star Wars Show posting a snippet of J.J. Abrams’ director’s commentary from the upcoming 3D Blu-ray release of the movie, where the filmmaker reveals that the big showdown between father and son was intended to feature as part of Rey’s Force vision – or ‘Forceback’.
“Touching the lightsaber triggers what we call the ‘Forceback.’ There were many iterations of this. In one, from the Cloud City Corridor, she looked down and saw Vader fighting Luke, which we ended up cutting. We wanted it to be a more personal story, something that she couldn’t comprehend, that was overwhelming to her, frightening to her, that was taking her through all of these elemental experiences, of fire, of rain, snow, wind. But also that she was being confronted with truths about the Force, about the past. The Knights of Ren here, the past for herself. She realizes that the cries she heard were actually her own cries as a young girl being taken away from her family. And then she hears a voice, ‘Rey,’ and that’s Obi-Wan Kenobi.”
SEE ALSO: J.J. Abrams on the fateful showdown between Kylo Ren and Han Solo in Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Star Wars: The Force Awakens sees J.J. Abrams directing returning stars Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and Tim Rose (Admiral Ackbar), in addition to Adam Driver (Girls), Oscar Isaac (A Most Violent Year), Andy Serkis (Avengers: Age of Ultron), Domhnall Gleeson (Ex Machina), John Boyega (Attack the Block), Daisy Ridley (Silent Witness), Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones), Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave), Ken Leung (Lost), Miltos Yerolemou (Game of Thrones), Max von Sydow (The Exorcist), Jessica Henwick (Spirit Warriors), Christina Chong (24: Live Another Day), Simon Pegg (Star Trek) and newcomers Crystal Clarke and Pip Andersen.
