Episode IX To Address Carrie Fisher's Death

Last month Vanity Fair did an article on the upcoming Star Wars: The Last Jedi that included a lot of new information on the film, as well as other Star Wars news...like how Carrie Fisher's death will be addresses in Episode IX.  Fisher had already finished filming her scenes for The Last Jedi before her untimely death, so we'll be treated to seeing General Leia one more time on the big screen, but how will her death in real life be explained in the Star Wars universe?


When filming had finished for The Last Jedi, the plan was to have Carrie Fisher's character playing a central role in Episode IX, similar to Harrison Ford's role in The Force Awakens.  Kathleen Kennedy (head of Lucasfilm) said that when filming concluded for The Last Jedi her and Fisher were talking and Fisher said, "I'd better be at the forefront of Episode IX," and according to Kennedy, she would have.  Her death put a cloud over how to move forward with Episode IX, but instead of using CGI to bring her back (which had been discussed at one point) they wanted to give her character the send off that she deserved.  Director Colin Trevorrow spoke with the press about it and said:


“[General Leia] was a major character, that’s not a secret. She really was. And it was extremely sad for all of us, mostly just because she was so loved by the Star Wars family and everyone that worked with her. I feel like our options are limited mostly by ourselves, in that there [are] only certain things that we are willing to do. But I can guarantee it will be handled with love and respect, and all of the soul that Carrie Fisher deserves.”


While he can't give away any secrets from the movie, it is nice knowing that they will be treating her passing with the love and respect that she deserves, and that it will impact fans in the best possible way...with heart.