Carrie Fisher's brother Todd says he would love to see her in the upcoming 'Star Wars' movie
Carrie Fisher's brother Todd Fisher has said that he would love to see the actress who played Princess Leia in the 'Star Wars' saga, to appear in the franchise even after her death. The actress, best known for her iconic role as the princess of Alderaan, Leia Organa, died aged 60 in 2016 following a heart attack. Fisher played the role in 1977 original 'Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope' followed by its sequel 'The Empire Strikes Back in 1980, and 'Return of the Jedi' in 1983. Fisher also starred in 2015's 'The Force Awakens' and the 2017 follow-up 'The Last Jedi'. Todd now hopes to see his sister in the 2019 installment 'Star Wars: Episode IX' despite her death.
After Fisher's unexpected death in 2016, the producers had to rework the script as the actress had a major role to play in it. Following fan's demand that the iconic character gets a deserving sendoff, and since her story couldn't be concluded in the originally envisioned way, a petition was launched to have the role recast with Meryl Streep. While others suggested that her character would return via CGI, similar to what was done in 'Rogue One'.
Todd revealed to New York Daily News that, after months of speculation, Disney bosses wanted to bring the princess back for Episode 9, and he and Billie Jourd (Carrie's daughter) have granted the studio rights to use the recent footage for the finale. The report quotes Todd saying, "She's as much a part of it as anything and I think her presence now is even more powerful than it was, like Obi-Wan — when the saber cuts him down he becomes more powerful. I feel like that's what's happened with Carrie. I think the legacy should continue."
However, Lucasfilm president, Kathleen Kennedy, was taken aback by Todd's remarks and, during a conversation with Yahoo Movies on Friday at Star Wars Celebration in Orlando, he revealed that the studio had no plan to digitally re-create Carri Fisher as the Princess. Todd acknowledged, saying, "Obviously, Lucasfilm and Disney, they own Carrie’s likeness... George owned it [before selling Lucasfilm]. In fact, Carrie famously used to joke that every time she looks in the mirror, she has to send George a couple of bucks. Now Disney’s got it. And what they do with it is up to them."
In an interview with Yahoo Entertainment, Todd said, "I can tell you from my perspective, as the brother of Princess Leia, I would love it if they would carry on with Carrie... I mean, how do you separate Princess Leia, at this point, from all of that? I mean, it is a foundation of the story. She is a pivotal character that the world has come to love. Technically, obviously, we live in a time where that could be done easily, where she could be brought in and out. I would love it.”
He also expressed that he was disturbed by the scene where his sister was in a coma. "I loved 'The Last Jedi', and the only thing that was difficult was the scene with Carrie in a coma — that was startling... I’m sitting in the theater and Carrie had just been in a coma in real life and doesn’t make it. And, you know, as the brother, you’re like, ‘What am I watching here?’”
Todd Fisher released the memoir 'My Girls' on June 5 where he pay tribute to his sister Carrie Fisher and his mother Debbie Reynolds, in moving stories about growing up alongside the Hollywood superstars. The book celebrates the legacy of the two women through more intimate, poignant and hilarious portrayal of the two remarkable women.