Final Star Wars is ‘bittersweet’ without Fisher

The use of unseen footage would allow the film to honour the late Carrie Fisher’s legacy, who played the iconic role of Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy

Carrie Fisher may have left earthlings for a galaxy far, far away but her on-screen brother Mark Hamill is happy that Princess Leia Organa will make a final appearance in Star Wars: Episode IX.

“It’s bittersweet facing my final chapter without her. She is simply irreplaceable. I’m finding solace in the fact that she won’t BE replaced and would love the worldwide outpouring of affection from those who loved her when they heard the news. #CarrieOnForever (sic)” Hamill tweeted.

Fisher died of a sudden cardiac arrest on December 27, 2016, at the age of 60.

Director JJ Abrams, who is returning to direct the final chapter in the Skywalker Saga of the hit franchise, recently confirmed that they have used unseen footage shot for The Force Awakens to build Leia’s character in the upcoming movie. “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, we have found a way to honour Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII,” Abrams said in a statement.

Fisher’s brother Todd also approves of bringing the character back to life. “I 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,” he said in a statement published by Los Angeles Times.

“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. JJ 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!” Todd said.

The film, which Abrams cowrote with Chris Terrio, will begin shooting at London’s Pinewood Studios this August. Cast members include Hamill, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran among others.

Carrie Fisher is simply irreplaceable. I’m finding solace in the fact that she won’t be replaced. MARK HAMILL ACTOR

PHOTO: TURE LILLEGRAVEN/NYT (above) Mark Hamill; (Inset) Carrie Fisher died in 2016 after completing her work on Star Wars: The Last Jedi, where she reappeared as Princess Leia

PHOTO: MARIO ANZUONI/ REUTERS