VIDEO: Deleted ‘Force Awakens’ Scene Featuring Carrie Fisher’s Leia

This week, we lost a Hollywood icon that has inspired an entire generation of girls and proved that princesses can be more than the damsel in distress. We bid farewell to Carrie Fisher, as she leaves behind a legacy that will transcend throughout the galaxy thanks to her work as Princess – now General Leia.

Fans were blessed to have seen her portray her iconic character once again in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and to see Carrie Fisher’s Leia evolve after 30 years was especially rewarding. I will always remember seeing the film on its Thursday night premiere on December 17, 2015 and the audience reaction when she appeared onscreen, reuniting with Han Solo (Harrison Ford) for the first time since 1983.

The process in bringing The Force Awakens to life was already a difficult and pressuring process, but I believe J.J. Abrams did the best possible job any director can do to bring us back to the galaxy far, far away. That includes deciding which scenes must remain in the film, and which must be left on the cutting room floor.

In one of the deleted scenes revealed on the recently-released collector’s edition Blu-ray for the film, it features Carrie Fisher’s General Leia asking Korr Sella (Masie Richardson-Sellers) to alert the senate about the First Order. This scene would’ve taken place in the first act of the film, and gives an explanation to why we see Korr Sella fall victim on one of the planets destroyed by Starkiller Base later in the film. Abrams explained in the audio commentary that the scene was removed because reintroducing Leia through the eyes of Han was the better route to take.

I agree with Abrams’ sentiments, but I do appreciate seeing this scene on the Blu-ray. It’s unfortunate that Richardson-Sellers’ role had to be cut down, but seeing her share a scene with Carrie Fisher is especially touching now. You can check out the deleted scene down below.

May the Force be with you, General.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is in theaters now. Star Wars: Episode VIII will blast into theaters on December 15, 2017.

Source: YouTube