Earlier this week, a report from the BBC pointed to Carrie Fisher’s Princess or General Leia Organa being “resurrected” with the use of special effects. That was a method used to de-age the iconic actress in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, not to mention the way Peter Cushing’s Grand Moff Tarkin was brought back. However, the story has now been debunked.
Lucasfilm posted “A Statement Regarding New Rumours” a little earlier today making it clear that they have no intention of using special effects to continue Leia’s story in Star Wars.
“We don’t normally respond to fan or press speculation, but there is a rumor circulating that we would like to address. We want to assure our fans that Lucasfilm has no plans to digitally recreate Carrie Fisher’s performance as Princess or General Leia Organa. Carrie Fisher was, is, and always will be a part of the Lucasfilm family. She was our princess, our general, and more importantly, our friend. We are still hurting from her loss. We cherish her memory and legacy as Princess Leia, and will always strive to honor everything she gave to Star Wars.”
Tarkin’s return was met with a mixed response; some fans liked seeing the villain again, while others criticised the quality of the effects and questioned whether it was morally right to use an actor’s likeness without their consent. The same happening to Leia to wrap up her story in Episode VIII or IX seemed likely, but Disney will clearly go down another route.
Honestly, this feels like it’s for the best after Fisher’s tragic passing as it’s better for her work to speak for her rather than the actress’s legacy boiling down to an unconvincing CG double.
