Carrie Fisher to Appear in ‘Star Wars Episode IX’

After Star Wars fans were left wondering if the upcoming Star Wars movie would continue with the character of Leia Organa’s story played by Carrie Fisher after the actress tragically passed away in 2016. It was announced Friday on the Star Wars site that Carrie Fisher will be one of the many actors that will return for “Star Wars: Episode IX.”

With the blessings of Fisher’s daughter Billie Lourd, Director J.J Abrams will use unseen footage of Fisher from the latest movies to help conclude Leia Organa’s story in “Episode IX.”

“We desperately loved Carrie Fisher,” said Abrams in a statement. “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 honor Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in ‘Episode IX’ by using unseen footage we shoot together in Episode VII.”

In 2016, Fisher went into cardiac arrest when she was on a flight from London to Los Angeles and died four days later. Disney released a statement back then saying “it had no plans to digitally recreate Fisher’s performance.”

Disney and Lucas Film also revealed that Billy Dee Williams will be returning to his role as Lando Calrissian. Mark Hamill will also be returning as Luke Skywalker along with Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, and Kelly Marie Tran. The new cast members include Naomi Ackie and Richard E. Grant

“Star Wars: Episode IX” will film at Pinewood Studios in London on August 1st and is set to premiere on December 2019.