The late Carrie Fisher will appear in “Star Wars: Episode IX,” according to her brother Todd Fisher.
New York Daily News’ Confidential reports that while attending the opening night gala of the TCM Film Festival in Los Angeles, Todd Fisher said that Disney would love to bring back Princess Leia and that he and Fisher’s daughter, Billie Lourd, have given the studio permission to use recent footage for the final movie of the new trilogy.
“Both of us were like, ‘Yes, how do you take her out of it?’ And the answer is you don’t,” Fisher said. “She’s as much a part of it as anything and I think her presence now is even more powerful than it was, like Obi Wan — when the saber cuts him down he becomes more powerful. I feel like that’s what’s happened with Carrie. I think the legacy should continue.”
Fisher added that it’s not clear to what extent Leia will be featured in the storyline, although he said that he has complete faith that the filmmakers will “do great things.”
“I’m not the only part in that equation, but I think the people deserve to have her,” said Fisher. “She’s owned by them.”
“You don’t mess with this legacy,” he said. “It would be like rewriting the Bible. To me, ‘Star Wars’ is the holy grail of storytelling and lore and you can’t mess with it.”
Disney has not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment.
In December, TheWrap reported that Fisher had wrapped filming for “Star Wars: Episode VIII” before her death. However, at the time, it was unknown how Fisher’s death might impact future installments in the blockbuster franchise and whether Leia, a character Fisher originated in 1977’s “Star Wars,” was expected to play a significant role in “Episode IX.”
In January, Lucasfilm issued a statement concerning the future of General Leia Organa in future “Star Wars” installments, saying no CGI would be involved.
“We don’t normally respond to fan or press speculation, but there is a rumor circulating that we would like to address. We want to assure our fans that Lucasfilm has no plans to digitally recreate Carrie Fisher‘s performance as Princess or General Leia Organa,” said a statement on starwars.com.
“Carrie Fisher was, is, and always will be a part of the Lucasfilm family. She was our princess, our general, and more importantly, our friend. We are still hurting from her loss. We cherish her memory and legacy as Princess Leia, and will always strive to honor everything she gave to ‘Star Wars.’”
Fisher died on Dec. 27 at the age of 60 after suffering a massive heart attack. Her mother, Debbie Reynolds, the 84-year-old best known for starring in movie musical “Singin’ in the Rain,” died of a fatal stroke on Dec. 28, just one day after Fisher.