TheStar Warsuniverse was dealt a crippling blow late last year, whenCarrie Fishersuddenly passed away at 60, days after suffering from a heart attack on an international flight from London to Los Angeles. In the wake of her passing, it was confirmed thatCarrie Fisherhad finished shooting the upcomingStar Wars: The Last Jedi. But with reshoots reportedly happening this month, some wondered if there would be any changes to the story in regards to Leia’s role. While speaking at Scale: The Future of Tech and Entertainment conference, held at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica, California, Disney CEOBob Igermade it clear thatStar Wars: The Last Jediwill not be altered because of the actress' passing. Here’s what the Disney CEO had to say below.
“When we bought Lucasfilm, we were going to make three films, Episodes VII, VIII and IX. We had to deal tragedy at the end of 2016.Carrieappears throughout VIII. We are not changing VIII to deal with her passing. Her performance remains as it is in VIII. InRogue One, we had some digital character. We are not doing that withCarrie.”
The Hollywood Reporter was present at this conference, with his statement falling in line with Disney’s stance on this issue, which they announced a few months ago. There was a report a few months ago that Disney was negotiating withCarrie Fisher’s estate for the rights to use her digital likeness asLeia Organain futureStar Warsmovies. However, LucasFilm, which normally never responds to press reports, issued a rare statement to deny any sort ofdigital recreationofCarrie FisherinStar Wars 9. Fans already got a glimpse of this technology in action, when it was used to recreate a 19-year-old Princess Leia, and the latePeter Cushingas Grand Moff Tarkin inRogue One, but it seems it won’t be used in the future for Leia.
AfterStar Wars: The Last Jedicomes out, Disney will release the new spin-offHan Solo: A Star Wars Storyon July 21, 2025, with the highly-anticipatedStar Wars: Episode IXcoming in 2019. AfterCarrie Fisher’s death, reports surfaced that the actress still had two major scenes to shoot, which had been long in the works, which would either be featured inStar Wars: The Last Jedi, orStar Wars 9. One of these scenes was Leia’s reunion with her brotherLuke Skywalker(Mark Hamill) and another where she confronts her evil son Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). Those details were never confirmed by Disney or LucasFilm, butBob Igeralso revealed that they are now starting to discuss the future of theStar Warsfranchise, afterStar Wars 9. Here’s what he had to say, teasing another long-term plan for the franchise.
“We’re starting talk about what could happen after Episode IX. About what could be another decade-and-a-half ofStar Wars stories.”
Back in November, LucasFilm presidentKathleen Kennedhinted that, afterStar Wars 9, all of the futureStar Warsmovies will be stand alone spin-offs, but they are still having those discussions and nothing is set in stone quite yet. While the Luke Skywalker saga will most likely come to a close withStar Wars 9. it’s also entirely possible that another trilogy could then go into development, following the new trio of heroes, Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega) and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac). We still have a long way to go before those decisions are made, withStar Wars: The Last Jedi,Han Solo: A Star Wars Story,Star Wars 9and a rumoredStar Warsspin-off focusing on Boba Fett in various stages of development.
