It was a bit surprising when J.J. Abrams announced plans to use unreleased footage of Carrie Fisher in ‘Star Wars: Episode IX’ with some wondering how her family may react, but according to her brother Todd Fisher, author of the autobiography ‘My Girls: A Lifetime with Carrie & Debbie’, the family is thrilled with her inclusion in the final chapter of the ‘Star Wars’ saga.
As he expressed:
“[We] couldn’t be more personally thrilled and happy that our Carrie will reprise her role as Princess Leia in the new and final ‘Star Wars Episode IX’ using previously unreleased footage of her shot for ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’.
“As we, her family, as well as her extended family of fans around the world so believe, Carrie’s ‘Princess Leia is forever entrenched in the franchise and her indelible presence is fundamental to the film. J.J. Abrams understood Carrie’s iconic role, and he has masterfully re-crafted this final entry to include this unused and very last footage of Carrie ever taken, without resorting to CGI or animatronics. Our family and her fans will look forward with great anticipation for this one! Her force will forever be with us!”
As Abrams previously announced, this plan was conceived with the input of Carrie Fisher’s daughter Billie Lourd, who appears in the movies as Lieutenant Connix.
“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.”
The untitled ‘Episode IX’ also welcomes back Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian for the first time in the current trilogy. The new film also welcomes back Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) 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), and Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca). Making their ‘Star Wars’ debuts are Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant and Keri Russell.
‘Star Wars: Episode IX’ will arrive in theaters on December 20, 2019.
Source: Deadline
