Carrie Fisher’s Work on ‘Star Wars: Episode VIII’ Completed Before Passing

The industry and film fans continue to mourn the loss of beloved actress-writer Carrie Fisher. One silver lining comes in the form that, as reported by Variety, Fisher’s work on Star Wars: Episode VIII was completed. So, cinephiles will have one more opportunity to see the performer in her most iconic role, Princess Leia. Production for the Rian Johnson-produced Star Wars entry wrapped in July, with the film now in post-production, and reportedly Fisher’s role was beefed up for Episode VIII, following her return to the fray in last year’s relaunch Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

As of now, it’s unclear how future Star Wars films will handle Fisher’s passing. She was expected to take part in Colin Trevorrow’s Episode IX but neither Disney nor Lucasfilm have weighed in just yet. The next Star Wars film to go before the cameras will be the upcoming Han Solo standalone spin-off prequel – which will star Alden Ehrenreich filling in as a young Harrison Ford. That title wasn’t expected to feature Fisher, which perhaps gives some time for Lucasfilm to properly access how to sensitively handle Fisher’s passing.

Fisher also had a few other pending projects – including recurring roles on Amazon’s series Catastrophe, voice work on the animated hit Family Guy and a proposed role in Vlad Marsavin’s new film Wonderwell – that may have been in various stages. Another project in the can but which will certainly gain a higher profile will be the documentary Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. The film, a look at the mother-daughter dynamic of two members of Hollywood royalty, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last year and will soon screen at the Palm Springs Film Festival before premiering on HBO in March.

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy was among the luminaries to offer condolences, commenting, “She was Princess Leia to the world but a very special friend to all of us. She had an indomitable spirit, incredible wit, and a loving heart. Carrie also defined the female hero of our age over a generation ago. Her groundbreaking role as Princess Leia served as an inspiration of power and confidence for young girls everywhere.”