Star Wars: Yoda nearly almost in key The Force Awakens scene

What his planned appearance may further tell us about Rey's own lineage.

One of the most feverishly discussed, mysterious moments in Star Wars: The Force Awakens sees young scavenger Rey beset with strange visions upon touching Luke Skywalker's lightsaber, found hidden within Maz Kanata's establishment.

It's a scene which appears to tease both Rey's future, and her past; becoming the major point of evidence on her lineage, and what role her powers may play in future installments of the franchise. Particularly of interest to fans are the numerous voice cameos snuck in as part of a chorus of whispering voices. Ewan McGregor and reformed dialogue from Alec Guinness create the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi, yet we also briefly hear the voice of another beloved character from the original trilogy: Yoda.

The film's editor Maryann Brandon, however, has revealed Yoda's role in the film was originally planned as a full-on, onscreen cameo. "There was one point where we were actually thinking of having Yoda in the film, and then we decided not to," she told Entertainment Tonight. "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!"

It's a fact which adds yet another layer of mystery to the scene, considering the film's leaked screenplay even further links Rey's visions to the events of the original trilogy; particularly in the Cloud City setting briefly seen in the finished film, where Luke Skywalker discovered his own lineage while battling Darth Vader, as well as being the last time he holds the lightsaber.

It's a question as to how Yoda himself would have been involved in the vision: simply as part of the lightsaber's history, or as a hint as to how he may have played a role in Rey's past? No, that's not a suggestion Yoda is Rey's father, by the way; more another dose of fuel to the fire that Rey may either be a Kenobi or a Skywalker in descent.

"We're going to make sure that that answer is deeply and profoundly satisfying," Director Colin Trevorrow had previously teased. "Rey is a character that is important in this universe, not just in the context of The Force Awakens, but in the entire galaxy. She deserves it. We'll make sure that that answer is something that feels like it was something that happened a long time ago, far away, and we're just telling you what happened."

Star Wars: Episode VIII hits UK theatres 15 December.