Many stories ended in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, but the biggest was General Leia Organa. How was her story completed?
General Leia has had an amazing Star Wars life. She was a senator and a rebel at a young age, inspiring countless people across the galaxy to fight for what was right. She loved and was loved.
Despite much heartache and loss, Leia continued on that path of inspiration into her final days.
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Episode IX was Leia’s final Star Wars movie as the woman who inspired many girls to dream even bigger. Unfortunately, we knew Leia’s time would come to an end. Despite The Rise of Skywalker being the end of the Skywalker Saga, Carrie Fisher died in 2016. Star Wars fans knew they would have to end her time in the story.
So how did it happen?
There were hints along the way if you read the novels or comics. In the book, Resistance Reborn, author Rebecca Roanhose dropped clues mentioned how Leia’s time in space (when she was blasted out of the star ship in The Last Jedi) ravaged her body. Even though she was able to save herself, she still suffered from a number of side effects, including headaches.
The Rise of Skywalker used previous footage for Fisher’s role in The Force Awakens. Some didn’t really fit well, but it was still wonderful seeing her on-screen again.
Leia’s small parts were about pushing Rey, inspiring Poe and the her final moment — when Leia’s life force finally gave out. She lay down and thought of her son Ben in that time. She reached out to him through the Force and then expired.
J.J. Abrams was given an impossible situation and turned into a touching moment because Leia’s death wasn’t just about one person leaving, but the way it affected all those around her.
Tears didn’t flow as much as they did when her loved learned of her death especially Chewbacca.
Despite the situation, it felt as though Leia Organa got the right send off. She was loved. She loved. She left the galaxy better.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is still in theaters. Go watch it again!