Carrie Fisher had finished “larger” Star Wars: Episode VIII role

This week saw a huge outpouring of good will and love after news broke that Carrie Fisher had passed away, aged 60. The actress, known for many films, script-doctoring and books, will be remembered by millions as Princess Leia in Star Wars and news from Deadline reports that Fisher had finished her work on the upcoming Episode VIII.

After her return as General Organa in J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens last Christmas, Fisher had filmed a “larger” role for the next installment, which is due in cinemas in December 2017, and all of her scenes were completed prior to her death. Indeed, she had also finished her role in the third season of comedy series Catastrophe, opposite Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney, where she plays Delaney’s mother.

No word yet on what Lucasfilm and Disney will do going forward with one of the most beloved female characters in cinema, but the site reports that there were no plans for Fisher to appear in the upcoming Han Solo stand-alone film, which stars Alden Ehrenreich in the lead role, alongside Donald Glover and Emilia Clarke.

Indeed Collider added that with her CGI “re-appearance” in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story as a young Princess Leia, it could be that Disney and Lucasfilm look down that avenue as a way forward should Leia appear in Episode IX although that seems highly unlikely at this point.

Star Wars: Episode VIII is released on December 15th, 2017.