How a Deleted Scene from Star Wars: The Last Jedi Disproves Critics of Luke Skywalker's Arc

The Controversy Surrounding The Last Jedi

A scene that was deleted from the theatrical cut of Star Wars: The Last Jedi would have disproved the critics of Luke Skywalker's arc in the film. When watching the Star Wars movies in order, The Last Jedi is the eighth chronological film in the Skywalker Saga. Even more so than the rest of the controversial sequel trilogy, the film divided fans upon release. This was largely due to the changes The Last Jedi made to Luke Skywalker that many would argue were compelling alterations, while others complained that they were too stark in contrast to his original trilogy depiction.

Two Caretakers standing on Ahch-To in Star Wars: The Last Jedi

The exploration of one of the furthest points in Luke Skywalker's Star Wars timeline saw much negativity directed towards Star Wars: The Last Jedi. From Luke's handling of the situation with Ben Solo when the latter became Kylo Ren to the former wishing for the Jedi Order to end based on the organization's past failures, The Last Jedi was quickly ranked among the worst Star Wars movies by one section of the fanbase. That said, these criticisms could have been proved almost entirely wrong thanks to one scene that was frustratingly cut from the film's theatrical release.

Luke Skywalker and Prime Jedi in Star Wars The Last Jedi

The Last Jedi’s Deleted Caretaker Scene Mends Luke’s Lack Of Personality

Aside from the moral stance of Luke in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, one of the other major criticisms of his character was his lack of personality. In the original trilogy, Luke Skywalker was depicted as a larger-than-life character thanks to his naive nature, at least in A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. That said, much of the humorous side of Luke had dissipated by the time of The Last Jedi's story. Despite making a lot of sense in that The Last Jedi's Luke was over three decades older and had been through a life of hardship, somehow a certain section of fans were bewildered by the change.

While this criticism can be easily debunked simply by Luke's older age alone, the deleted scene in question showcased Luke's personality better than most other scenes in the film's final cut. In the scene, Luke tricks Rey into thinking the caretakers of the Jedi Temple on Ahch-To are about to be attacked by raiders. Rey rushes to their aid, bursting into the caretakers' village with her lightsaber in hand, only to realize they are in the midst of a music festival. Luke finds this hilarious thus highlighting his OT personality, jabbing at Rey that her swiftness to run across a desolate beach was all part of a funny prank.

The Last Jedi Deleted Scene Explains Luke’s State Of Mind Better Than Most Other Scenes

Aside from the scene providing a brief moment of levity from Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi, the deleted moment then helps to explain Luke's state of mind better than the rest of the film. Rey is naturally angry at Luke's joke, stating that she thought the caretakers were truly in danger. Luke retorts "And that's what the Resistance needs, not some old failed husk of a religion." This line works twofold: it explains the third lesson Luke wanted to teach Rey about the Jedi while also proving that it is Luke's self-esteem issues that are holding him back in the film.

Eventually, it becomes clear that Luke does not think the Jedi should end, more so that they need to evolve beyond the failures of the past via something new like Rey herself. This deleted scene sums this up perfectly, foreshadowing the film's ending. It proves that Luke believes in Rey and that she should help the Resistance, and also that it is his perception of his own failures that stop him from fighting the First Order. Eventually, Luke becomes the beacon of hope he needs to be in Star Wars: The Last Jedi's ending, though the deleted caretaker scene would have gone a long way to solidifying this transition further.