Sepharih said:

Ultimately i'm nitpicky on this scene because I really think something needs to change in it. From the start of the movie, Luke seems like such a different character and seems to posses so much confidence, but I feel this sequence diminishes that. Still, the rancor itself is far too iconic to just cut I think.

I know his options are limited and he's not in the best position...but he's supposed to be a jedi, or just short of one, at this point damnit. Hiding under a rock and physically hurling a piece of debris at a panel just feels so weak sauce to me.

Seems to me that it shouldn't be too difficult to film insert footage of a "Luke" force grabbing the skull off the floor and flinging it at the button....ala Darth Maul in Ep I. Existing shots of Luke could be modified, a douvle could be filmed from behind if necessary, and a quick insert shot of a skull flying off the ground....done