You may have noticed that several scenes from the first few STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS trailers didn't make it into the movie, like Maz Kanata handing Luke Skywalker's lightsaber to General Leia and the first shot of Kylo Ren's cross-guard lightsaber. J.J. Abrams was asked about those missing trailer scenes during a conversation with EW, and he explained why they didn't make it into the movie.
Sometimes you discover that things you would have cut off a limb to shoot on the day are absolutely inconsequential, and in fact less impactful than if you were to remove it. As much as you try to kick the tires and write and shoot only what is necessary — no one wants to waste anyone’s time — when you’re in the editing room you realize, for instance, that introducing the character there actually diminishes their power. Or, giving that information actually distracts you from what you should be concentrating on. Or, having that moment happen concurrent with that moment actually gets in the way of both — things like that.
Abrams went on to specifically talk about the Maz Kanata lightsaber scene.
That was a scene actually filmed, but we took out. At one point, Maz used to continue along with the characters back to the Resistance base, but we realized that she really had nothing to do there of value, except to be sitting around. Lupita did film scenes on set for that sequence, but it felt unnecessary. So we ended up leaving those things out.
Although I have a feeling there won't be a STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS extended edition/director's cut that will include the missing scenes, hopefully they will at least come with the Blu-ray and DVD release. Are you bummed that the scenes weren't used in the final cut of the film?