Star WarsCelebration is bringing us a lot of news, both good and bad, about theupcoming Star Wars movies. While there has been plenty of good news, we do have to report a bit of sad news for fans ofCarrie Fisher. Lucasfilm PresidentKathleen Kennedyhas confirmed that the late actress will not be appearing as Leia Organa inStar Wars 9.
The news came courtesy of ABC NEWS, viaGood Morning America, thatCarrie Fisherwill not be appearing in any way inStar Wars Episode IX, which is currently slated to hit theaters in summer 2019. Thelegendary actresspassed away in December, though, she had already finished filming her scenes for the upcomingStar Wars: The Last Jedi, which we now know will markCarrie Fisher’s last appearance as the iconic character. Here is whatKathleen Kennedyhad to say about it.
“We finished everything [with Leia] in Eight, and Carrie is absolutely phenomenal in the movie. And we’re so happy that we were able to complete shooting in the summer. Unfortunately, Carrie passed away. So, by the time we were well underway withEpisode Nine, in our thoughts we had not written the script yet. But we’ve regrouped. We started over again in January, so, sadly, Carrie will not be in Nine.”
For some, it may seem fairly obvious to say thatCarrie Fisherwon’t be appearing inStar Wars 9at this point, but there was reason to think that she might. Initially, it was thought that Lucasfilm may try and recreate her likeness using CGI, like they did with Grand Moff Tarkin and ayoung Princess LeiainRouge One: A Star Wars Story. That was taken off the table fairly early on, with Lucasfilm releasing a statement saying they wouldn’t go down that road. But just last week it was reported that permission had been given byCarrie Fisher’s brotherTodd Fisherand her daughterBillie Lourdto use previously shot footage that wasn’t used inStar Wars: The Force AwakensandStar Wars: The Last Jedifor the movie. However, it looks like that won’t be happening either. Here is whatTodd Fisherhad to say about it.
“Both of us were like, ‘Yes, how do you take her out of it?’ And the answer is you don’t. She’s as much a part of it as anything and I think her presence now is even more powerful than it was, like Obi Wan, when the saber cuts him down he becomes more powerful. I feel like that’s what’s happened with Carrie. I think the legacy should continue…I’m not the only part in that equation, but I think the people deserve to have her. She’s owned by them. You don’t mess with this legacy. It would be like rewriting the Bible. To me, Star Wars is the holy grail of storytelling and lore and you can’t mess with it.”
It looks like the other parts of the equation have decided that it is best not to mess withCarrie Fisher’s legacyand they will be leaving Leia out ofStar Wars Episode IX. That does raise a lot of questions moving forward. Most notably, how they will deal with her absence in the movie. Her death wasn’t part of the plan inStar Wars: The Last Jediand it has been said that her performance will be presented as originally intended and won’t be altered. That means that directorColin Trevorrow, who is signed on to helmStar Wars 9, will have to work with Lucasfilm to find a way to explain her absence.
Kathleen Kennedysay “We’ll see a lot of her in 8,” which is very good to hear since it will be last time we ever see Princess Leia on screen. We can just hope that they will find a respectful and satisfying way to close out her character’s arc in the movie.Star Wars Episode IXis currently set for release on August 12, 2025. You can check out the interview clip withKathleen Kennedyfor yourself below.
