The Last Jedi Director On Whether The Movie Wraps Up Carrie Fisher’s Story

The unfortunate passing of Carrie Fisher left a huge impact on everyone involved with the Star Wars saga. Her legacy loomed large over the cast and crew of the various projects and her iconic character Leia Organa was set to feature prominently in 2019’s Episode IX.

General Leia’s last on screen appearance will be in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and director Rian Johnson recently spoke with Good Morning America about whether or not the film will wrap up the character’s story.

“I think Carrie gives a really beautiful performance in the film and… we obviously didn’t make the movie to be her final film, final Star Wars movie,” Johnson said. “Given that though, I think there are scenes that she has that are going to mean a lot to people. There are scenes that we have with her where now, not having her around, I watch them and … I’m really thankful that we have that and we can that to people.”

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It’s obviously a challenging predicament made even more difficult by how close Johnson and Fisher became before her death — he would often go to her house to discuss the script with her before they began shooting.

“Wraps up nicely? I don’t know,” Johnson said. “But emotionally gives some kind of catharsis, gives some kind of emotional satisfaction, I think so. I know for me it does.”

It will be a bittersweet moment when Star Wars: The Last Jedi premieres knowing that we won’t have the pleasure of seeing the actor reprise her most iconic role ever again. But we’ll always be able to cherish the performances she had in these films over and over again, and we’re lucky that we have even one more to look forward to.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi hits theaters December 15.

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Star Wars: The Last Jedi is the second film in the new Star Wars sequel trilogy that began with Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015. The film will deal with Luke training Rey to become a, and possibly the last, Jedi. Meanwhile, the Resistance, including Poe Dameron and First Order defector Finn, continues to fight against the First Order, led by General Hux, while Supreme Leader Snoke and his Dark Side follower Kylo Ren continue their mysterious plot.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is written and directed by Rian Johnson and stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Andy Serkis, Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern, and Kelly Marie Tran.

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