In response to rumors that Carrie Fisher's iconic role of Princess Leia will be digitally recreated in future films of the Star Wars franchise, Lucasfilm claimed that it has no plans to do so.
Carrie Fisher passed away at the age of 60 years old on Dec. 27, 2016.
Rumors Of Digital Princess Leia
After her tragic death, there were reports that claimed Lucasfilm was in negotiations with the estate of Fisher to have her digitally created to be able to keep using Princess Leia, now General Leia, in future Star Wars films.
The technology required to pull off such a feat was shown off in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which was released two weeks before Fisher passed away. In the film, Fisher's character Princess Leia was shown as her younger version in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope through digital recreation.
The technique, however, was mostly used for the character of Grand Moff Tarkin, who was portrayed in the earlier Star Wars films by the late Peter Cushing. For Rogue One, Cushing was revived using cutting-edge technology, with actor Guy Henry playing the role and then having his face digitally transformed into that of Cushing.
If it could be done for Cushing and his character Tarkin, fans believed that the same technology can be applied to revive Fisher as Princess Leia in future Star Wars films. However, there was some backlash against the reports on the ethics behind such a move.
While Fisher had already finished filming her scenes for Star Wars Episode VIII, set to be released at the end of this year, it was said that she was supposed to have a bigger role in Star Wars Episode IX, which will be released in 2019 and is slated to start filming early next year.
Lucasfilm Debunks Rumors
An official statement was posted on the official Star Wars website by Lucasfilm, wherein the studio said that while it does not usually respond to speculations by fans and the press, it wanted to address the rumor that Fisher will be digitally recreated in future movies.
Lucasfilm stated that it has no plans for the digital recreation of Fisher, both as Princess Leia or General Leia.
"Carrie Fisher was, is, and always will be a part of the Lucasfilm family," the statement continued, adding that Lucasfilm is still hurting from her sudden death but it will be cherishing her memory and legacy as Princess Leia.
Fisher's Legacy As Princess Leia
Fisher passed away after being hospitalized for suffering a heart attack while on a flight from London to Los Angeles on Dec. 23. She was traveling as part of her promotion of The Princess Diarist, which is her documentation of the time when she was filming Star Wars IV: A New Hope.
Fisher was only 19 years old when she was cast as Princess Leia, a role that would blossom into arguably one of the most iconic characters in the history of film. Her latest appearance was in Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, but her character has since evolved into General Leia of the Resistance.
