Star Wars producers say Carrie Fisher will NOT be digitally recreated for next film
Rumours have been circulating after deceased actor Peter Cushing returned in Star Wars: Rogue One
THE STUDIO behind Star Wars has said it has no plans to digitally recreate film performances of the late actress Carrie Fisher in future films.
Since Fisher, who famously played Princess Leia in the saga, died last month there has been speculation that filmmakers might use computer graphics technology to resurrect digital images of the actress in forthcoming chapters of the film series.
Such technology was used in the newly released "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" in which a digital embodiment of British actor Peter Cushing, who died in 1994, returned for the role of the Grand Moff Tarkin which he first played in the original 1977 Star Wars film, A New Hope.
The Walt Disney co-owned Lucasfilm, which is the producers of the film, posted an online statement to put to rest rumours that Fisher's image would likewise be created.
It said: "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 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 to strive to honour everything she gave to Star Wars."
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Fisher appeared in four of the Star Wars films, beginning with the original 1977 movie and its two sequels, playing the intrepid Princess Leia as a young actress.
She returned to Disney's 2015 reboot of the franchise, The Force Awakens, appearing as the more matronly General Leia Organa, leader of the Resistance movement fighting against the evil First Order.
She had already filmed her role for the upcoming but untitled sequel, Episode VIII, which is due to be released this year and had been expected to reappear in Episode IX in 2019.
Lucasfilm's statement left questions surrounding whether her character would be written out of that film or another actress would be hired to play Leia.
Executive producer of the rebooted Star Wars, JJ Abrams, revealed that the cast and crew have been struggling to deal with Fisher's passing just after Christmas.
He also admitted they had no idea of how to address the 60-year-old’s death in the blockbuster films.
Fisher died following a heart attack she suffered during a flight from Los Angeles to London.
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