Carrie Fisher Star Wars: Episode IX

General Leia will be in ‘Star Wars: Episode IX’.  JJ Abrams has announced that he will incorporate unused footage of Carrie Fisher from ‘The Force Awakens’ in the final film in the current ‘Star Wars’ saga.  It had been thought that ‘The Force Awakens’ would focus on Han Solo and ‘The Last Jedi’ on Luke, with the third movie in this trilogy belonging to Leia.  Unfortunately, Fisher passed away in late 2016, after filming ‘The Last Jedi’ and it was assumed that this would be the last audiences would see of her in her most famous role.  The head of Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy, indicated that Leia would not be in the upcoming film, but after director Colin Trevorrow exited, the reigns were handed over to Abrams who had previously helmed ‘The Force Awakens’ and he and Chris Terrio rewrote the script to incorporate Leia.

In a statement, Abrams stated:

“We desperately loved Carrie Fisher.  Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us. We were never going to recast, or use a CG character. With the support and blessing from her daughter, Billie [Lourd], we have found a way to honor Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII.”

Disney and Lucasfilm have announced the main cast for ‘Episode IX’ which includes original trilogy stars Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) and Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), confirming months of speculation that Lando would finally return in this final ‘Star Wars’ installment.  Also returning are Daisy Ridley (Rey), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), and Fisher’s daughter, Billie Lourd (Lieutenant Connix).  Newcomers Naomi Ackie and Richard E. Grant have been cast but their roles are undisclosed.  Not included in the announcement is Keri Russell, who was reported to have been cast in this film almost a month ago.

How do you feel about Carrie Fisher appearing in ‘Episode IX’?  Is this a fitting tribute?  Or should they have simply written around her?

Source: The Hollywood Reporter