Lucasfilm President Confirms that Carrie Fisher Will Not Appear in 'Star Wars: Episode IX'

During this weekend’s Star Wars Celebration, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy confirmed in an interview with ABC News that Carrie Fisher‘s General Leia Organa will not appear in Star Wars: Episode IX. The announcement came as a surprise to the late actress’ brother Todd Fisher, who had previously told the New York Daily News that he and his sister Billie Lourd had given Disney and Lucasfilm their blessing to use archival footage of Carrie for her planned appearance in the franchise’s ninth episode in 2019. Todd Fisher recently commented, “Both of us were like, ‘Yes, how do you take her out of it?’ And the answer is, you don’t.”

Kennedy told ABC that he was “confused” and, “Sadly, Carrie will not be in nine, but we will see a lot of Carrie in eight.”

Lucasfilm also confirmed earlier this year that they have no plans to digitally reconstruct the late actor’s performances for future Star Wars installments, such as how they did for Fisher and Peter Cushing in 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Carrie Fisher passed away last December at the age of 60. Her life and work were celebrated by her fans and Star Wars co-stars during the 40th anniversary celebration at the Florida event.

Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, directed by Rian Johnson (Looper), will mark Fisher’s final performance as the iconic heroine.

Lucasfilm President Confirms that Carrie Fisher Will Not Appear in ‘Star Wars: Episode IX’