The latest episode of The Star Wars Show unveiled a clip from the film’s audio commentary that offers insight from J.J. Abrams on Rey’s “Forceback.” In it, the director discusses the flashback that Daisy Ridley’s character had when she touched Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber, including how he chose which parts of the past to include and what got cut. With the scene being an important one, Abrams’ breakdown is especially welcome.
It turns out that “there were many iterations” of the “Forceback” scene, including one in which Rey saw Darth Vader fighting Luke. As we now know, that version was nixed, but it was for good reason; instead, Abrams says they wanted to show a “more personal story” for Rey.
“She was being confronted with truths about the Force, about the past. The Knights of Ren here, the past for herself,” Abrams says in the clip. “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.”
The resulting scene is powerful, and it’s interesting to hear the work that went on behind the scenes to ensure it would be. The clip should pique fans’ curiosity about what other treasures can be found in the commentary contained in the 3D collector’s edition. Beyond that, they can look forward to additional special features, including never-before-shared deleted scenes and further insight from the film’s cast and crew.
Watch the clip below, with the section of interest starting at 1:55.
The 3D collector’s edition is available overseas on October 31 and in the U.S. on November 15.
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