The actress who played Princess Leia and died in 2016 will appear in the latest ‘Star Wars’ film without any CGI.
 |
| Image Star Wars/YouTube |
Film footage of the late actress Carrie Fisher taken for the 2015 film “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is to be used in “Star Wars: Episode IX.” Disney confirmed that the unseen footage is to be used in the ninth episode in the sci-fi film franchise.
It turns out Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker, will also be back in “Episode IX,” despite the fact that he appeared to have died in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” Filming starts in London on 1 August this year according to the Disney statement. As reported by Digital Spy, the announcement was made on Friday, 27 July.
Star lineup for ‘Star Wars’ episode 9
Carrie Fisher died of a heart attack in December 2016 at the age of 60. This happened at a time when she was reviving her career in the film franchise by appearing with fellow-costars Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
The actor Mark Hamill, whose Luke Skywalker character appeared to die in last year’s "The Last Jedi," will also appear in the next movie, which will start filming in London on 1 August, Disney said in a statement.
Fisher died suddenly in December 2016, aged 60, after suffering a heart attack, just as she was enjoying a career revival with the re-invigorated "Star Wars" movie franchise that reunited her with original cast members Hamill and Harrison Ford in the 2015 film "The Force Awakens." Fisher was in “The Last Jedi” and was supposed to be a central character in episode nine. Talk had been that she would feature as a CGI character, but it turns out some previously unused footage was perfect for the task.
No ‘Star Wars’ without Carrie Fisher
The Guardian quotes “Episode IX” director, JJ Abrams as saying in a statement that they all loved Fisher, but couldn’t find a satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker story without her. He said they would never recast the role or use CGI to portray Princess Leia. However, with the blessing and support of Carrie’s daughter, Billie, they found a solution to the problem and are able to honour Fisher’s legacy in the role of Leia in the ninth episode. He said they would be using previously unseen footage from "Episode VII" for the new movie. According to Disney, the script for the ninth film was in the process of being reworked to suit.
Returning cast for ‘Star Wars: Episode IX’
Besides the presence of Fisher and Hamill, Billy Dee Williams will be back as Lando Calrissian, who was last seen in “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi.” Daisy Ridley, Kelly Marie Tran, John Boyega, Adam Driver and Lupit Nyong’o will also return for the film.
Filming for “Star Wars: Episode IX” starts in August 2018 and it is expected to premiere in cinemas worldwide during December 2019.
