What to do with Leia? In late 2016, Lucasfilm was faced with that very question. The great Carrie Fisher had passed away, and they were left with her footage in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, as well whatever story beats they had of Star Wars: Episode IX. We know now that they opted not to change the character’s trajectory in The Last Jedi, but that only seemed to amplify the Episode IX problems.
RELATED – Rian Johnson Shares His Vision For The New Star Wars Trilogy
How could they bring Leia into Episode IX, given that Fisher had passed away, and that they’d stated they wouldn’t be doing a CG Leia, out of respect? There has since been a petition from fans to recast Meryl Streep in the role…but what does Mark Hamill think? Here’s what he had to say:
“I think it’d be tough recasting, only because she’s so indelibly linked with that character. They’ve already ruled out the idea of computer generating a performance like they did with Peter Cushing [in Rogue One]…I know that the script had been developed enough so that when we lost her, they had to go back to square one. But she’s irreplaceable, as far as I’m concerned.”
There’s no easy way around this problem. If you write her out, it feels contrived an unfit, considering what happened in The Last Jedi, and if you recast her, that’s a whole other can of worms. Those who have been following my thoughts know that I would prefer a recasting, simply so we can see a story play out as intended, but I can very much understand fans’ desire to retain continuity of the character throughout.
What do you think of this very question, and what do you think of Hamill’s comments? Let us know your thoughts down below!
Don’t forget to share this post on your Facebook wall and with your Twitter followers! Just hit the buttons on the top of this page.
SOURCE: Collider