* WARNING: Mild spoilers for ROGUE ONE included. Do not read if you haven’t watched yet *
Carrie Fisher has passed away at age 60, leaving Star Wars fans across the world devastated and reeling. In a year that has already claimed the lives of so many beloved icons, the loss of Princess (and later, General) Leia has hit hard. Not only did Carrie Fisher light up the screen as the fierce spirited Skywalker sister, but she was vocally outspoken about herself and Hollywood, and dealt with issues of mental health and addiction which she has also candidly addressed. Needless to say, she will be dearly missed.
Her death has also suddenly posed a troubling question that, ironically, was started by this year’s Star Wars spin-off, Rogue One (read review here). The film caused a mire of controversy because they used a digital likeness of the late Peter Cushing to essentially resurrect the role of General Tarkin. The digitally de-aged reveal of Princess Leia at the end of the film was merely a cameo but Tarkin had a substantial role in Rogue One.
Now although Carrie Fisher has wrapped up filming for the yet-untitled Episode VIII, her death has certainly thrown off the original plan for the future of her character. Rian Johnson, Episode IX director Colin Treverrow and Lucasfilm president, Kathleen Kennedy, will have to go back to the drawing board and address the pressing problem: what will the fate of General (formerly Princess) Leia in Episode IX be (ASSUMING they haven’t killed the character in Episode VIII)?
The options are clear: either address the actress’ absence off-screen and write out the character… or pull a Rogue One and use digital wizardry to give General Leia a grand send-off.
The question of bringing dead actors to life via the digital magic of zeroes and ones is a grey, morally and ethically questionable area. This isn’t a Furious 7 scenario where actor Paul Walker had already filmed a couple of scenes- this is a Peter Cushing situation. And either way you look at it, there is no clear-cut solution: to kill Leia off-screen would be a grave disservice but the idea of a digital Carrie Fisher playing a large role for Episode IX in order to carry out whatever original ideas they had for the character might not sit well with fans, either.
And that’s without considering that the latter option will open a door to a whole new level of debate regarding bringing popular characters back for film franchises even the performers are in the grave.
Whatever the decision, it will shape both the fate of the Star Wars films as well as change the landscape in Hollywood.
[UPDATED: Lucasfilm has released a statement regarding the situation]
Meanwhile, this author’s condolences go out to Carrie Fisher’s family and her loved ones.
Rest in peace, Carrie Fisher. May the Force be with you.
The Snarky Quill 