Re: ROTJ cut scenes and alternate cuts to Luke's rescue scene:
Here is a script snippet from a later draft of ROTJ. Was this filmed? I don't know. BUT, I do know that ILM's Frank Ordaz did a matte painting for this location AND ILM storyboarded it for optical.
*shrugs*
Here's the script segment courtesy of the Starkiller script site:
Luke snaps awake from a sound sleep, his head still ringing with Vader's words. It takes a moment for him to focus on his surroundings. He is in a small rundown, tavern. Two vile, little dirty Jawas; ATETU and TWEETU, stare at him from across the room. They shake their cloak-covered heads and go back to cooking an odorous stew.
The howling wind outside blows the door open with a loud crash. Luke reaches for his pistol, the Jawas hide. Out of the dust cloud emerge two familiar shapes, SEE THREEPIO and ARTOO DETOO. Luke relaxes as the angry Jawas come out of hiding, scolding the robots for not closing the door. Atetu waddles to the door and strains against the wind to close it.
THREEPIO
Master Luke, I beg you not to send us
out in weather like that again…it's
unbearable out there.Artoo whistles his agreement.
LUKE
Were you able to get
everything I asked for?THREEPIO
An impossible task, but yes
we have all of it...Artoo?Artoo beeps and one of his tiny arms pokes out of its hatch carrying a small box. The door to the hovel bangs open again giving everyone a start, including R2 who drops the box of parts.
Out of the cloud of dust comes LANDO and CHEWIE. Atetu is very angry and starts yelling at Lando and Chewie. The little Jawa storms over to Chewie and screams at the Wookiee (in his gibberish language), shaking his fist. Chewie stares at him blankly, then shrugs and closes the door. Atetu continues to vent his anger on Luke, then waddles back to his cooking.LANDO
Next time I'll try to get us better
accommodations, but trustworthy innkeepers
are hard to come by around here.Chewie barks and puts several small parts before Luke.
LUKE
What did you find out?LANDO
He survived the unfreezing process but
I couldn't get any report on his condition;
but we're going to have to hurry, the
execution has been set for tomorrow.Threepio picks up a small micro chip.
THREEPIO
Master Luke, I beg your pardon,
but how can these micro parts help
rescue Capt. Solo?Luke holds up an odd looking box.
LUKE
When it's finished it will be our ticket
into the palace. But first, we must
send this JABBA the HUTT a message.
That's where you two can help.THREEPIO
At your service.Tweetu calls out and points to the bowls of steaming food on the table. Chewie barks and heads for the table followed by Lando.
LANDO
Better get something to eat, Luke,
we may not get another chance.LUKE
You go ahead, I still have some things
to do first. (motions to R-2)
Come over here, Artoo.Threepio follows Chewie to the table and asks Tweetu something. The creature answers and goes to a cupboard. Threepio sits at the table. On the far side of the room Luke stands before Artoo and recites a message. A beam of light from Artoo passes over him as he speaks. Tweetu brings Threepio an oil can, and Threepio starts oiling his joints.
THREEPIO
A few more trips outside
and I'll surely short circuit.Chewie barks and Lando passes him some food.
LANDO
It's a miracle that Han survived the
unfreezing process. I just hope he's
still in one piece.Chewie barks his agreement. Luke and R-2 come over to the others. R-2 begins to beep at 3PO.
THREEPIO
We have to leave?!? What are you
talking about? I'm not going out in
that storm again!LUKE
3PO, I need you to go
with him to the palace.THREEPIO
Palace?!?LUKE
He's going to need your help.THREEPIO
Help!?!Artoo beeps at Threepio again.
THREEPIO
All right, I'm coming. I'm coming.
I was afraid of this. Master Luke,
are you sure...LUKE
Threepio…
I'm depending on you.THREEPIO
Yes, Master Luke.Artoo and Threepio leave the Inn as the wind howls madly outside. Luke grabs some food off of the table and goes back to his work.
LANDO
What makes you think those droids
will ever get in to see Jabba -
let alone deliver the message.LUKE
Greed. It's Jabba's weakness.
With this phony spice extractor and
his greed, we'll make contact with Han as
soon as I finish. You and Chewie are going
to have to make the next visit
to the palace.LANDO
You mean just walk right in??
They'll kill us.LUKE
Not when you present Jabba with
this little gem, and tell him we have
a hundred more just like it.
You'll be all right.LANDO
But we don't have another hundred
just like it. I think this plan of yours leaves
a lot to be desired.LUKE
Listen, Lando, you know we couldn't get
Han out of that stronghold even if we had an
army with us. Our only hope is to get
Jabba to take him out of there, for us.LANDO
Then what?LUKE
Then you leave the
rest to me.Lando shakes his head in disbelief.
LANDO
I sure hope you know
what you're doing.Chewie concurs, as Luke goes back to working on his gift.