Star Wars: Episode VIII's Laura Dern Reflects on the "Extraordinary Beacon" of Carrie Fisher
Laura Dern has joined the Star Wars family with Star Wars: Episode VIII coming this December, and [...]
Laura Dern has joined the Star Wars family with Star Wars: Episode VIII coming this December, and her first time talking about it is, of course, bittersweet. While the actress says she's "having the time of [her] life" getting to play in the galaxy far, far away, like the rest of the Star Wars community she's mourning the loss of Carrie Fisher, the icon behind Princess and now General Leia.
"Star Wars was in her heart and soul," Dern said of Fisher, speaking to ET at Elle's Women in Television event. "I don't know any of us who didn't play Princess Leia for a Halloween, or in our life. What an incredible gift to witness that whole legacy."
Dern obviously can't talk about her Star Wars: Episode VIII role, which is one of those trademark Lucasfilm closely-guarded secrets, outside of her general excitement for the movie. Ultimately, she said she loved the way Carrie Fisher led the way for women in film.
"We put a lot of focus currently on what it is to be a female icon, what it is to use your voice, what it is to be comfortable in your own skin. She has always been one of the most extraordinary beacons, an original screen icon," Dern said of Fisher.
Star Wars: Episode VIII, from writer/director Rian Johnson, is in post-production now for a December 15, 2017 release. The film follows-up and continues the story of the next generation of the saga as Rey, Poe, Finn, and Kylo Ren find their place in the galaxy and follow the legacy of Luke Skywalker, Leia, and Han Solo. Daisy Ridley returns to star as Rey, with other returning stars John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Domhnall Gleeson, Gwendoline Christie, Peter Mayhew, Andy Serkis, Anthony Daniels, Lupita Nyong'o Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa. Benicio Del Toro and Laura Dern join the cast in as-yet-unrevealed roles.
