Carrie Fisher will appear in ‘Star Wars: Episode IX’

Lucasfilm

• Carrie Fisher will return as Leia Organa in “Star Wars:
  Episode IX” through unseen footage shot for “Star Wars: The
  Force Awakens.”
• Fisher passed away in 2016, though her character Organa
  survived in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.”
• Lucasfilm also said that Luke Skywalker actor Mark
  Hamill will return.

Carrie Fisher is officially returning to the “Star Wars”
universe. 

The actress behind Leia Organa passed away in 2016, but Lucasfilm confirmed on Friday
that she will appear in next year’s “Star Wars: Episode IX”
through unseen footage filmed for 2015’s “Star Wars: The Force
Awakens.”

The film’s director, J.J. Abrams, said that recasting the
character or using CGI was never an option.

“We desperately loved Carrie Fisher,” said director J.J.
Abrams. “Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker
saga without her eluded us. We were never going to recast, or use
a CG character. With the support and blessing from her daughter,
Billie, we have found a way to honor Carrie’s legacy and role as
Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in
Episode VII.”

Organa survived in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” leaving her
fate up in the air for the film’s sequel after Fisher’s
passing.

Lucasfilm also said that Luke Skywalker actor Mark Hamill
is returning for “Episode IX.” Skywalker died at the end of “The
Last Jedi.”

“Star Wars: Episode IX” comes to theaters December 20,
2019.