Carrie Fisher would have been front and center in Star Wars: Episode IX

Last Updated on July 31, 2021

Sitting down in a crowded theater to watch STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI will be somewhat of a bittersweet experience knowing that it will be the final time that the late Carrie Fisher will bring General Leia to life. Vanity Fair has a great spread dealing with the upcoming Rian Johnson film, some of which we've covered already, and while those interviewed obviously couldn't spill anything major, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said that the original plan for STAR WARS: EPISODE IX would have seen Carrie Fisher taking on a much bigger role.

Kathleen Kennedy said that Carrie Fisher was "having a blast" filming STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI, and the minute that principal photography wrapped up, "she grabbed me and said, ‘I’d better be at the forefront of IX!’ Because Harrison was front and center on VII, and Mark is front and center on VIII. She thought IX would be her movie. And it would have been." It's tough to imagine what could have been, but I've got no doubt that Fisher's memory will be honoured.

The new generation of STAR WARS actors all remember Carrie Fisher fondly, not merely because she was an amazing woman, but also because she took the franchise's new stars under her wing and taught them how to deal with the sudden fame. After the sight of John Boyega in stormtrooper armor in THE FORCE AWAKENS' first teaser trailer prompted an unpleasant backlash from certain groups, Carrie Fisher had a few colourful words of encouragement for the young actor.

I remember—and forgive me, I’m going to drop the f-bomb, but that’s just Carrie—she said, ‘Ah, boohoo, who f**kin’ cares? You just do you,’ Words like that give you strength. I bore witness in a million ways to her sharing her wisdom with Daisy too.

Daisy Ridley added that "Carrie lived her life the way she wanted to, never apologizing for anything, which is something I’m still learning. ‘Embarrassed’ is the wrong word, but there were times through it all when I felt like I was … shrinking. And she told me never to shrink away from it—that it should be enjoyed."

STAR WARS: EPISODE IX is set for a May 24, 2019 release.