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Since the tragic passing of Carrie Fisher, “Star Wars” fans have – in addition to suffering understandable deep grief – wondered how director JJ Abrams and the brass at Lucasfilm might handle the absence of Princess Leia in the third and final Skywalker-saga film, “Episode IX”, releasing next December.
Previous reports suggested that Abrams, who last worked with Fisher on 2015’s “The Force Awakens”, would be using unused footage from that film – somehow reworking the cut bits to play as somewhat of a fitting tribute to the legendary character (and actress). Now a new report offers added intel into how the film might overcome the ‘Leia issue’.
According to actor John Boyega (‘Finn’ in the films), the latest installment – unlike the last chapter, “The Last Jedi” (2017), which kicked off immediately after the events of “Force Awakens” – jumps forward in time twelve months.
By zipping a year ahead time-wise, the creative team have seemingly found a way to write-out Leia, respectfully and plausibly. The report suggests a lot would have happened in the twelve months between the events of the last ‘episode’ and the new one, and that might include the passing – or retirement (it worked for the “Fast & Furious” franchise, when the filmmakers were left scrambling how to write-out Paul Walker’s character after the actor tragically passed during production) – of General Leia.
Sure, it’s still possible that the unused footage of Fisher from “The Force Awakens” will be used – maybe for some flashback scenes or even a ‘force ghost’ sequence? – but the jump-in-time that the script takes likely indicates the actress won’t be a significant part of the film (unlike the aforesaid Walker, whose character Brian O’Conner appeared throughout “Fast 8”. The difference there though is that the actor died part-way through filming that movie, whereas Fisher had passed by the time production begun on “Episode IX”). As long as we get to say goodbye on screen, that’s all I ask for.
Online scuttlebutt suggests the next trailer (hopefully it drops soon!) features Rey (Daisy Ridley), cloaked in Jedi-esque black garb, getting about with a familiar face (see below) and Chewbacca in the Falcon. The rumour mill also suggests that Kylo-Ren rebuilds his mask for the final bout with Rey.
In addition, The oft-reliable Making Star Wars site reports that a new type of stormtrooper will be introduced in the movie. The ‘red dead trooper’ is “pretty much a solid red Stormtrooper with black stripes”, says the site.
With Fisher’s Leia no longer part of the main cast, her void will be filled by original “Star Wars” favorite Billy Dee Williams, who will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian. According to, his role will be very significant.
‘’Episode IX’’ will also feature a return appearance by Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker and series-staple Anthony Daniels as C3-P0.
New faces in this instalment include Matt Smith, Dominic Monaghan, Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant and Keri Russell.
“Star Wars Episode IX” releases December 20, 2019.
