Yoda Was Almost In Star Wars: The Force Awakens

We know from concept art and various reports that Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader was cut from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but another powerful Jedi was also left out after being included in an early draft of the film.

While Yoda’s voice, provided by Frank Oz, can be heard in Rey’s Force vision, The Force Awakens editors Maryann Brandon and Mary Jo Markey have revealed that they considered having the former Grand Master of the Jedi Council appear on screen.

“There was one point where we were actually thinking of having Yoda in the film, and then we decided not to,” Brandon told ET at the 66th annual ACE Eddie Awards. “Frank Oz came in for a day and did a whole bunch of Yoda and he was over the moon to do it — and we were tickled pink!”

Oz’s performance never made it out of the editing room, and the Anakin/Vader idea never even made it that far. Alec Guiness and Ewan McGregor did manage to make into the film, as the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens releases on Blu-ray and DVD in April.