The Last Jedi: Did Carrie Fisher receive a worthy Star Wars sendoff?
Did Carrie Fisher, Leia, get a proper sendoff in Star Wars: The Last Jedi?
*Spoilers for Star Wars: The Last Jedi ahead*
Nearly one year to the very date, December 27, 2016, the Star Wars universe stood still with the untimely passing of Carrie Fisher, our beloved Princess Leia. Her legacy lives on, not only through Leia but the lives she touched off-screen.
It was no secret that Carrie Fisher had her demons, but she was courageous enough to share them with the world, helping many people overcome mighty struggles of their own in the process.
Once the shock wore off and the dust settled, questions arose on what Lucasfilm and Rian Johnson would do with her character in The Last Jedi.
Would they send her off with an epic death? Or, would Lucasfilm recast the character of Leia for Episode IX?
Apparently, the answer to both questions was a resounding no. Leia persevered through The Last Jedi, while Lucasfilm stated that Leia will not be recast for the next installment.
Fisher’s daughter, Billie Lourd, gave her mother the unofficial sendoff at Star Wars Celebration in Orlando this past April.
So, did The Last Jedi and its director/writer Rian Johnson give Carrie Fisher the sendoff she was worthy of receiving? What about Leia?
Yes and no. The Last Jedi was Carrie Fisher’s best performance of Leia to date, with the (now) General displaying her persevering strength throughout the film.
If you think about all of the personal turmoil Leia experienced her entire life — the destruction of Alderaan, and her adoptive parents’ Bail and Breha Organa with it. Countless sacrificial deaths of friends and colleges in the Rebellion and Resistance over three decades.
To the discovery of her true lineage, that she was the daughter of Darth Vader and sister of Luke Skywalker. Then, when life found its balance with the destruction of the Empire, Leia could finally enjoy her life with her husband Han Solo and child Ben.
However, tragedy struck, when her son transformed into Kylo Ren, shifting the tide of the galaxy back into Darkness. Not to mention, her brother, Luke, disappeared when she needed him most.
Worst of all, her son destroyed her beloved husband, putting Leia to the ultimate test.
Photo Credit: Lucasfilm
Her true grit and beauty shined through it all, showcased tenfold in The Last Jedi. Also, for the first time, Leia used the Force physically, guiding herself to safety through the pits of space like Superwoman.
Saving the best for last, Star Wars fans witnessing a Leia and Luke reunion was a perfect way to send both characters into the netherworld of the Force.
The Last Jedi did Leia justice but did not have an official goodbye.
But, Leia’s character was not put to rest at the end of The Last Jedi, with her leading a small handful of Resistance (now Rebel) survivors to safety at the end. Leia is alive and well, and her character would not leave the fight willingly. We need a new story to end her arc.
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How will Lucasfilm put Leia to rest properly? No way they will use the opening crawl for Episode IX to write her out. Doing so would not be worthy of Leia or Carrie Fisher.
A novel would be a wise choice, allowing the likes of Claudia Gray of transforming Leia and making her one with Force in a story set before the final part of the trilogy.
Honestly, the best way to give Leia the rightful ending is recasting her character. Hear us out on this idea.
Carrie Fisher would no doubt want Leia to live on, with the character more prominent than even her. If she were still with us, she would certainly agree with that statement.
Episode IX was supposed to be Leia’s big moment to shine, like Han Solo and Luke Skywalker before her in the first two films of the new saga.
Carrie Fisher deserves that epic goodbye and so do us Star Wars fans, with Leia’s shining moment in the conclusion of the trilogy.
Next: Carrie Fisher wrote Leia’s funniest lines
What about you? Is Leia’s character untouchable, or, do we need to recast her in Star Wars: Episode IX to put her to rest properly?