Update 4/14/17 According to Deadline, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy confirmed on Friday that Princess Leia will not be appearing in Star Wars: Episode IX. She told ABC News at Star Wars Celebration that "Sadly, Carrie will not be in [Episode] Nine. But we will see a lot of Carrie in [Episode] Eight."
This is in stark contrast with what Carrie Fisher's brother, Todd Fisher, shared earlier this month. Though Lucasfilm may have the rights to use Carrie Fisher's image in future endeavors, it looks like they will not be digitally recreating her for the third film in the trilogy. Wherever you land on the subject, we're glad that Lucasfilm has taken this issue so seriously, as she is not only an iconic character in this beloved franchise, but also part of the larger Star Wars family, and someone who is deeply missed every day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE99le5FBrY
Star Wars: The Last Jedi may not mark the last time Leia Organa appears in the saga. We know from comments by Disney CEO Bob Iger that Carrie Fisher's death in December 2016 didn't affect Episode VIII. They didn't change the story and her performance will remain as it was. As Lucasfilm has stated they have no plans to digitally recreate Fisher as Leia, it seemed like The Last Jedi would mark the final appearance of the iconic character. But, that may not be the case. The Hollywood Reporter brought to our attention that Carrie's brother Todd Fisher told New York Daily News on Thursday that he and Billie Lourd, Carrie's daughter, have given Disney permission to use previously captured footage of Carrie for Episode IX. He said, "Both of us were like, ‘Yes, how do you take her out of it?’ And the answer is you don't... I think the legacy should continue."


Images: Lucasfilm
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