The ending has begun. The as of yet untitled Star Wars: Episode IX has begun production at Pinewood Studios in London. The final screenplay for Episode IX was written by director JJ Abrams and co-written by Oscar-winning screenwriter Chris Terrio (though we’ll just pretend he had nothing to do with two recent DC films). The production begins and the release date for Episode IX is slotted for December 2019.
The press release for the production of Episode IX doesn’t contain too much new information. A list of returning cast members as well some new cast additions. It’s no shock that Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Adam Driver are returning nor is it too shocking that Mark Hamill and Billy Dee Williams will be reprising their iconic roles. Of course, Episode IX will be scored by the legendary John Williams.
However, there’s one fascinating tidbit that will open the floodgates for all sorts of speculation — and that’s just how JJ Abrams and LucasFilm are going to handle the untimely death of Carrie Fisher:
The role of Leia Organa will once again be played by Carrie Fisher, using previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. “We desperately loved Carrie Fisher,” says Abrams. “Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us. We were never going to recast, or use a CG character. With the support and blessing from her daughter, Billie, we have found a way to honor Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII.”
Unused footage? Just how much unused footage? Are they going to Plan 9 Carrie Fisher? I have faith in Abrams to pull off a kind tribute to our fallen princess.
You can check out the press release to scour the information for clues as to the future of Star Wars here.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi stirred up a lot of anger from a vocal minority and it’s up to JJ Abrams to step in and finish the trilogy he started with The Force Awakens while hopefully not whacking a hornets’ nest of moronic cry baby fans. We’ll just have to wait and see when Episode IX is released in December 2019.
