Star Wars 9: NEW Carrie Fisher Leia scenes will 'honour her legacy' says JJ Abrams

The sad loss of the actress last December devastated fans and also left the Star Wars film makers with a huge problem.

The Last Jedi ended with General Leia Organa alive and not so well. She had suffered a near death experience after being blasted into space but had somehow recovered. 

Following Fisher’s shock passing, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy categorically declared that Fisher would not be seen on screen again and CGI would not be used to recreate her iconic character.

A major announcement by Lucasfilm just revealed Leia WILL be back on screen, portrayed by Fisher…

This is just the news the beleagued franchise needs after the ongoing fan rebellion over The Last Jedi. The press release announced the filming of Episode IX with a major declaration about the return of Leia.

Previous rumors continued to persist that some form of motion capture might be used, similar to the way Grand Admiral Tarkin and young Leia were brought back to the screen in Rogue One but Lucasfilm has found the perfect solution.

It said: “The role of Leia Organa will once again be played by Carrie Fisher, using previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.“

The director of Episode 7 is back at the helm for the final movie and JJ Abrams had his own words for what this will mean to fans and to the franchise.

Abrams said: “We desperately loved Carrie Fisher. 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.”

The emphasis on the blessing given by Billy Lourd reveals how sensitive the subject is and that Lucasfilm is determined to handle it properly.

Fisher will not only be missed as one of the iconic stars of the franchise. Her handiwork was also evident and treasured in her well-publicised collaborations with Abrams and Rian Johnson on the the scripts for Episodes 7 and 8.

At least fans now know they will be able to say goodbye in the most fitting way possible when the grand nine-movie saga finally reached its end next December.