Does Princess Leia Die in 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi?'

Star Wars: The Last Jedi teased one of the darkest and most harrowing chapters of the saga in its ominous trailers, and that somber tone was given real-world weight after Star Wars icon Carrie Fisher passed away late last year. With Fisher now gone, and Star Wars: Episode IX not even into production with returning director J.J. Abrams, fans have naturally had one big question about The Last Jedi: Does Leia die?

Now that Star Wars: The Last Jedi is in theaters we can finally reveal and discuss the long-awaited fate of Leia in the film. Obviously, this means you should only read on if you're not concerned with SPOILERS!

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Despite a harrowing near-death experience in space, and The First Order nearly making her rebel base on Crait into a tomb, General Leia Organa survives the events of The Last Jedi, living to fight another day.

Obviously, Leia living on through The Last Jedi leaves a huge dangling challenge for Episode IX: how to explain her absence, now that Carrie Fisher is gone. There are a lot of ways it could be done, as the Star Wars franchise has begun to excel at bringing back the original Star Wars characters through body doubles and/or CGI. It's already been said that Lucasfilm won't do such a thing for Episode IX - but you never know. Other options include recasting (fans would riot) or perhaps opening Episode IX on the funeral for Leia, which would be convenient and respectful all at once.