Star Wars: Episode IX’s Colin Trevorrow Addresses Carrie Fisher Loss

Colin Trevorrow, director for “Star Wars: Episode IX,” recently addressed the passing of Carrie Fisher and how her absence would be affecting the production of the next “Star Wars” saga entry. Fisher’s death shocked the world last year and sent fans wondering where the latest “Star Wars” films in the franchise would go from there. Fisher is slated to appear in Rian Johnson’s “The Last Jedi,” and eventually Episode IX.

Princess Leia has been a huge part of the saga from the very beginning, and she was supposed to be a key factor in the premise of “Star Wars: Episode IX.” If you would recognize the pattern of the new trilogy, J.J. Abram’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was Han Solo’s (Harrison Ford) shining (and eventually, parting) moment while “The Last Jedi” is Luke Skywalker’s movie lead. Episode IX would have been Leia’s time to shine as the central driving force of the movie’s story. But with her being gone, this won’t be happening anymore.

Colin Trevorrow On Carrie Fisher’s Star Wars: Episode IX Role

While on a promo run for Trevorrow’s “The Book of Henry,” the director spoke to Cinemablend in an interview about Fisher’s death and how her absence would be addressed in “Star Wars: Episode IX.” Trevorrow had this to say:

“[General Leia] was a major character, that’s not a secret. She really was. And it was extremely sad for all of us, mostly just because she was so loved by the Star Wars family and everyone that worked with her. I feel like our options are limited mostly by ourselves, in that there [are] only certain things that we are willing to do. But I can guarantee it will be handled with love and respect, and all of the soul that Carrie Fisher deserves.”

Admittedly, there are a few options on how this could be addressed, and as per Trevorrow, it will be handled with love and respect. It has also been confirmed that there will be no recreation of Princess Leia as a CGI character.

Whatever they plan on doing, it’s clear that Lucasfilm has everything in check for “Star Wars: Episode IX.” Kathleen Kennedy, the studio’s president, had recently revealed that they had to go back to square one, given how Fisher was supposed to be at the forefront of the last film in the new trilogy. Right now, Leia will not be appearing in Episode IX.