Colin Trevorrow On Making Episode IX Without Carrie Fisher

06/05/2017 06:30 pm EDT

The final installment in the new Star Wars trilogy is less than two years away and cameras are getting ready to start rolling, but the film has already suffered a devastating blow with the passing of Carrie Fisher.

The legendary actor will make her last appearance as Leia Organa when Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in theaters at the end of the year. It will be bittersweet for many fans who will have watched her performance in five different Star Wars movies, especially knowing she was set to make an even bigger impact in Star Wars: Episode IX.

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy previously spoke about how they had to work out another plan for the film in wake of Fisher's death and that director Colin Trevorrow was working with cowriter Derek Connolly on a new version of the script. Now Trevorrow has opened up about Fisher's absence and how it's affecting his direction for Episode IX.

"She was a major character, that's not a secret. She really was," Trevorrow said to CinemaBlend. "And it was extremely sad for all of us, mostly just because she was so loved by the Star Wars family and everyone that worked with her. I feel like our options are limited mostly by ourselves, in that there is only certain things that we are willing to do. But I can guarantee it will be handled with love and respect, and all of the soul that Carrie Fisher deserves."

Fisher's portrayal of Leia will go down in history as one of the most iconic performances in cinema. And though her absence has affected her family and friends, her legacy in show business will have a lasting impact on everyone she interacted with.

Lucasfilm has a heavy burden of paying respects to Fisher while propelling the narrative forward, and Trevorrow is in the unenviable position of helping guide them there. It's not development to be taken lightly.

We look forward to enjoying her final performance as Leia when Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in theaters Decembers 15.

Star Wars: Episode IX will premiere May 24, 2019.

MORE EPISODE IX NEWS:

• Lucasfilm Didn't Have Plans For Episodes VIII And IX After The Force Awakens
• Star Wars: Episode IX Production Date Revealed
• Star Wars: Episode IX Originally Featured Leia Front And Center
• Rian Johnson Did Not Treat Star Wars: Episode IX Script

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