Star Wars: Episode IX Will Feature New Carrie Fisher Footage

The force seems to be with us all this Friday. Leia Organa’s story is not finished yet. The Star Wars princess turned General will appear in Star Wars: Episode IX Lucasfilm announced today in a statement.

The legendary late Carrie Fisher passed away prior to the final installment of the Skywalker saga being written, but where there is a will, there is a way. Do not panic. Lucasfilm is sticking to their promise that General Organa will not be recreated using CG as Grand Moff Tarkin was in Rogue One. Actual footage of Fisher’s performance from Star Wars: The Force Awakens that was not used in the final cut of the film will appear in Episode IX.

“We desperately loved Carrie Fisher,” director J.J. Abrams said in the release. “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 shot together in Episode VII.”

Thank goodness for deleted scenes. I am interested in seeing additional footage anyway, so it will be even sweeter that it is worked into the actual narrative. What would the Skywalker saga be without Skywalkers? This will be the closing chapter of their family’s story, so it will be a satisfying sendoff to see Leia one last time.

Speaking of Skywalkers, another surprise is in store. The release indicated that Mark Hamill will be part of the cast. It seemed pretty clear that he dissipated into the ether after the final battle with Kylo Ren, but never underestimate a Jedi. Lucasfilm also confirmed the news that Billy Dee Williams will return to the franchise to reprise his role as Lando Calrissian.

Star Wars: Episode IX will open in theaters December 2019.

Featured Image: Star Wars: The Last Jedi General Leia Photo: Lucasfilm Ltd. © 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.