‘Star Wars: Episode 9’ ‘Started Over’ After Carrie Fisher’s Death
Carrie Fisher’s tragic death rocked the world and a galaxy far, far away. But while the world had to come to terms with losing a beloved star,Star Wars: Episode 9had to grapple with losing their General.
And after they mourned the loss of Fisher, the team behindEpisode 9had to rethink how they were moving forward with the sequel toThe Last Jedi, Lucasfilm PresidentKathleen Kennedysaid. In the end, the only option was tonot have General Leia Organa appearat all.
DirectorColin Trevorrowand co-writerDerek Connollyhad originally planned to include Leia inEpisode 9until Fisher’s sudden passing. After the team tried to figure out how they could continue Leia’s story, they ultimately decided to leave their original ideas behind, Kennedy toldEntertainment Weekly.
“Obviously, with Carrie having passed away, it shook everybody. We pretty much started over.”
TheEpisode 9team decided against recreating Fisher digitally, even though a digital likeness of how Fisher appeared inStar Wars: A New Hopeshowed up at the end ofRogue One.
Fisher’s brother, Todd, had also told theNew York Daily Newsthat he and the actress' daughter, Billie Lourd, had given Disney and Lucasfilm permission to use recent footage of the actress in the film. But ultimately, Kennedy and theEpisode 9team decided to leave Leia out of the film.
“Sadly, Carrie will not be inIX,” Kennedy said at April’sStar WarsCelebration. “But we will see a lot of Carrie inVIII.”
Disney CEO Bob Iger had said thatThe Last Jediwill not be alteredin the wake of Fisher’s death. We don’t know how theLast Jediwill leave Leia’s story, but Kennedy assures us that Fisher’s work on the movie was complete… “and she’s fantastic.”
Leia will live on in Disney’sForces of Destinyanimated shorts, which highlight the female heroes ofStar Wars. And there’s the expanded universe of comics, novels and cartoons to think of. So while we have to say goodbye to Leia on the big screen inStar Wars: The Last Jedi, the universe hasn’t seen the last of her.
Star Wars: The Last Jedihits theatersDecember 15, 2017. The still-untitledStar Wars: Episode IXis set for a set for aMay 24, 2019release.
