The Rise of Skywalker was meant to close out the sequel trilogy with a bang, but for many fans, it didn’t quite stick the landing. The film sparked plenty of criticism and controversy, and by now, most of us know its story inside and out.
But here’s the interesting part—rumors suggest there were deleted scenes that never made it to the big screen, scenes that could have changed how we experienced the movie entirely. When I first came across them, I couldn’t help but think: why weren’t these included? Honestly, some of them sound like they would’ve made the film so much better.
1. Finn with a Lightsaber on Exegol
This is one of those rumors that refuses to die — the idea that Finn was supposed to ignite a lightsaber during the final battle on Exegol. Picture it: blaster fire raining down, Sith troopers everywhere, and Finn finally stepping forward with a saber in hand to fight alongside Rey. It’s a scene fans have imagined for years, and one that would’ve paid off all the little hints about his Force sensitivity sprinkled throughout the sequels.
And it’s not as far-fetched as it sounds. We now know, thanks to interviews and even the Rise of Skywalker novelization, that Finn is Force-sensitive. John Boyega himself has talked about how some of that subplot was cut down during production. So the groundwork was already there.
Then there’s the concept art. Some pieces show Finn in the middle of large battle sequences, charging into the fight on orbak mounts (those horse-like creatures we see on screen). In one piece of unused art, a warrior on horseback even appears to be holding a lightsaber — and many fans have speculated that figure was meant to be Finn. It’s never been officially confirmed, but it’s exactly the kind of “what if” that fuels this rumor.
Still, here’s the reality check: no production notes, crew interviews, or confirmed deleted scenes have ever proven Finn wielded a saber on Exegol. Most likely, this was just an early idea tossed around in concept stages, or maybe even fan misremembering of leaked art.
A lightsaber-wielding Finn on Exegol would’ve been incredible — but as of now, it’s more legend than fact.
2. Ben Solo Speaks to Rey After Palpatine’s Defeat
Another rumor that’s been floating around for years is that Ben Solo was supposed to speak to Rey in his final moments. Fans have long argued that this would’ve given his sacrifice more weight — a last exchange of words instead of silence. Imagine Rey waking up, battered from channeling the Force against Palpatine, only to hear Ben reassure her before he fades away.
There’s at least some circumstantial evidence to back this one up. The Rise of Skywalker novelization expands on the scene and makes Ben’s final words explicit: “A voice came to her through the Force, clear and strong. ‘I will always be with you,’ Ben said.” Rey responds in kind, whispering, “No one’s ever really gone.” (Slashfilm)
Adam Driver is also said to have filmed more material than what appeared in the final cut, and leaks before the movie’s release hinted at “Ben speaking to Rey” as part of his redemption arc. Even outlets like Forbes and The Ringer noted how the novelization leaned heavily into their bond, adding emotional beats that weren’t present onscreen.
But here’s the catch: there’s no official deleted scene footage, no stills, and no clear confirmation from Lucasfilm that dialogue was cut. For now, it remains one of those “what could have been” moments — a missing piece that fans believe would’ve made Ben’s redemption and Rey’s survival land with far more impact.
3. Kylo Ren Among the Ruins of Vader’s Castle
The opening of The Rise of Skywalker always felt a little disjointed. We see Kylo Ren mowing down soldiers in a fiery forest before recovering a Sith wayfinder. Later, we learned through official material like the Visual Dictionary that this battle took place on Mustafar, right near the ruins of Darth Vader’s castle.
That little detail set off a storm of speculation. Was there originally supposed to be a full sequence of Kylo walking among the wreckage of his grandfather’s fortress? Fans have long imagined the haunting imagery of Kylo Ren standing in the ashes of Vader’s legacy, his footsteps echoing through the ruins of a place once steeped in the dark side.
There’s some evidence that this wasn’t just a fan dream. Early concept art released for the film shows Kylo exploring more of Mustafar’s surface, the castle looming in the background.
And while the movie never showed it, the Star Wars comics later filled in the gaps. In Charles Soule’s The Rise of Kylo Ren and tie-in issues around the sequel trilogy, we actually do see Kylo returning to Mustafar, delving into the ruins of Vader’s castle and confronting both the legacy and the ghosts of the past. In other words, the imagery fans wished for on-screen eventually came to life in canon—just not in the way Episode IX originally teased.
4. Kylo Ren Speaking With a Mysterious Creature
One of the stranger rumors tied to The Rise of Skywalker comes from The Art of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which shows unused concept work of Kylo Ren interacting with a massive alien being. According to reporting from Business Insider, this creature was designed as a practical puppet and may have been part of his hunt for the Sith wayfinder.
The idea of Kylo pausing his rampage to consult — or confront — a towering, otherworldly entity would have shifted the film into something darker, more mystical. It would’ve emphasized the “mythic quest” tone, giving Kylo’s journey a surreal layer instead of just a straightforward fight scene. Whether this was ever filmed remains unclear, but the art proves that the filmmakers at least imagined Kylo’s path involving more than swinging a saber through trees.
5. Empress Rey on the Sith Throne
We all remember the quick vision of “Dark Rey” with the double-bladed saber, but concept art and leaked behind-the-scenes photos hint that Lucasfilm explored an even bolder idea: Rey sitting on the Sith throne itself. Outlets like Inverse reported on imagery of Rey cloaked in black, posed as if she had taken her place as Empress of the Sith on Exegol.
If true, this would have pushed her temptation to the forefront, not just showing her as a twisted reflection with sharp teeth but as the literal heir to Palpatine’s empire. Even if it was only meant as a vision, it would have carried serious symbolic weight — Rey’s ultimate fear of becoming exactly what she was fighting against. Instead, we only got a brief glimpse of Dark Rey before she vanished, leaving this darker throne room moment to live only in rumor and concept art.