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'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' will be Carrie Fisher's final appearance on silver screen as iconic Leia Organa

It's almost poetic that Leia, who was always the heart and soul of the original trio, is also the last of them all. The 'Star Wars' franchise was the project that put Fisher on the map and now it will also be where her career finally comes to an end.

The end is nigh! Once 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' hits theaters, it will be the end of the Skywalker saga, an epic tale that's been told over three trilogies, multiple animated shows, two spin-off films and one live-action Disney+ series. Here at the end of an era, there's only one character left standing from the very beginning and soon it will be time to say goodbye to her as well: Carrie Fisher's Princess (later General) Leia Organa.  

After her tragic death in 2016, 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' became the last film that Fisher would have the chance to actually work on. But 'Rise of Skywalker' will be using unreleased footage shot for the last film and 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens', making it Fisher's last actual appearance on the big screen.

It's almost poetic that Leia, who was always the heart and soul of the original trio, is also the last of them all. As the daughter of singer Eddie Fisher and actress Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher was always destined to be a celebrity, but the 'Star Wars' franchise was the project that put Fisher on the map and now it will also be where her career finally comes to an end. 

Considering how important Fisher and Leia are to the 'Star Wars' fandom, 'Rise of Skywalker' will have a difficult job giving her a fitting farewell. Seeing as 'The Last Jedi' confirmed that Leia does have Jedi powers, perhaps its time we finally got to see her wield a lightsaber, though perhaps that's just wishful thinking.

Since Fisher's appearance is culled from previously shot footage, it's unlikely that her appearance will have much of a bearing on the movie plot. In fact, there's a pretty good chance the film might just begin with her funeral and skip over her death entirely, though that would be a huge disservice to both the character and the legendary actor who played her.

Irrespective of how JJ Abrams chooses to bid adieu to Leia in 'Rise of Skywalker', the last Skywalker's importance to the history of this franchise is an undeniable fact. And though she may no longer be with us, both Carrie Fisher and Leia Organa will live on, not just as a Force Ghost but in our hearts and minds as well.

'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' will arrive in theaters on December 20.