If you’re a Star Wars fan who loves behind-the-scenes details, this one’s for you.
During the Battle of Endor in Return of the Jedi, there was a deleted scene where a Mon Calamari pilot delivered the line, “Fried Calamari tonight!” Now, I know what you’re thinking “Did they really go there?”
Yes, they did, and it’s just one of many interesting moments that didn’t make it into the final cut of the movie.
Battle of Endor: The Lost Rebels
As much as we all love the original Battle of Endor sequence, adding extra lines and reactions from Rebel pilots could have given us an even richer experience of the fight.
Return of the Jedi is already packed with unforgettable scenes, from the chaos in space to the ground assault on Endor.
But this “Lost Rebels” footage would have made the battle feel even more immersive, giving voice to the many characters risking their lives to overthrow the Empire.
Let’s be honest—seeing a Mon Calamari pilot joke about “fried calamari tonight” might sound wild in the middle of a high-stakes battle. But that’s exactly the kind of self-aware humor Star Wars has always sprinkled in. It reminds us that the Mon Calamari weren’t just background characters—they had personalities, nerves, and even a sense of humor under fire. This line, delivered by a pilot later identified as Ika Sulko, was filmed using the same puppet as Admiral Ackbar, and it’s become a small fan-favorite moment among the deleted scenes.
Surprisingly, that’s just one of several Rebel moments we almost got to see.
These deleted clips gave us more than just a laugh—they offered diversity and depth. One standout is the female X-Wing pilot, whose scene was fully filmed but ultimately cut. Even though her lines were dubbed over by a male voice in post-production, she was originally shot delivering dialogue from the cockpit—giving us a glimpse at what could have been a more inclusive Rebel force.
However, it doesn’t stop there—there are even more deleted scenes. Keep reading to find out!
Other Deleted Scenes from Return of the Jedi
Rebel Raid on the Bunker
One of the most exciting deleted scenes from Return of the Jedi takes us back to the intense raid on the Imperial bunker.
In the final film, we see Han, Leia, Chewie, and a group of Rebel soldiers fighting their way into the shield generator, but the deleted footage adds a few more character moments that really bring this sequence to life.
In one alternate take, there’s a memorable exchange where an Imperial officer sneers at Han and Leia, calling them “rebel scum.”
Han, ever the quick-witted charmer, doesn’t let it slide. He shoots back with a cheeky “Scum?”—delivered in that signature Solo style, equal parts sarcasm and charm.
It’s a small moment, but it perfectly captures Han’s unflappable attitude, even in the middle of a high-stakes mission.
Vader’s Arrival and Reaching Out to Luke
Another fascinating deleted scene from Return of the Jedi offers us a glimpse into Vader’s attempts to connect with Luke through the Force.
After Vader suggests to Moff Jerjerrod that he find “new ways to motivate” the workers on Death Star II, he retreats to his meditation chamber a reused shot from The Empire Strikes Back.
Here, we see Vader reaching out across the galaxy, calling to Luke through the Force.
Meanwhile, Luke and R2-D2 are safely hidden away in a Tatooine cave, where Luke is making some final adjustments to his new green-bladed lightsaber.
He hands it over to R2, his loyal astromech, entrusting him with the weapon before they set off to rescue Han.
It’s a quiet, intimate moment, showing Luke’s growth and determination as he prepares to face his destiny.
Tatooine Sandstorm
The Tatooine sandstorm sequence was actually the very first scene filmed for Return of the Jedi on January 11, 1982, at Elstree Studios.
However, this footage wouldn’t reach audiences until years after the movie’s release. In the final cut, we jump directly from Han, Luke, Leia, and the rest of the group escaping Jabba’s Palace on a sand skiff to a shot of the Millennium Falcon and Luke’s X-wing in space.
But originally, there was a different plan: a heartfelt reunion between the heroes in the midst of a fierce sandstorm.
In this deleted scene, the characters are seen wearing protective goggles against the harsh Tatooine winds. Luke takes a moment to tell Han and Leia that he can’t stay with them, explaining, “I have a promise to keep … to an old friend.”
Han, visibly grateful, pulls Luke aside to thank him for coming to his rescue. Before parting ways, Luke slips a black glove over his injured hand and prepares to leave in his X-wing with R2-D2 by his side.
Jerjerrod’s Conflict
You may not remember Moff Jerjerrod’s name—after all, it’s never actually mentioned onscreen in Return of the Jedi.
But if you’ve seen the movie, you probably recall him as the nervous Imperial officer who struggles to mask his fear around Darth Vader early in the film.
As Commander of the Death Star II, Jerjerrod plays a relatively minor role in the final cut, but several deleted scenes reveal his story in a much richer light.
In one deleted scene, Jerjerrod’s struggle with authority is on full display.
He and two of the Emperor’s Royal Guards try to slow down Vader as he’s storming his way to see Palpatine.
Vader’s response? A swift and brutal Force choke, which quickly puts Jerjerrod back in line. It’s a striking moment, one that underscores just how intimidating Vader is, even to high-ranking Imperial officers.
But the most intense deleted scene involving Jerjerrod comes later, in an alternative sequence where the Emperor instructs him to destroy the Endor moon if the Rebel Alliance manages to disable the shield generator.
We see Jerjerrod caught in a serious moral dilemma as he prepares to carry out this horrific order. One later clip even shows him and his officers preparing for this catastrophic action.
It’s a powerful scene that could have shown just how far the Empire would go to secure its dominance, even if it meant wiping out its own installations and personnel.