The Bantha in the room--Leia's role in Episode IX

[Turtletrekker]

Episode IX director Colin Trevorrow is set to meet with Lucasfilm chief Kathleen Kennedy to discuss how Carrie Fisher's death will effect the film.

Apparently, Leia's role in Episode VIII was expanded from her small part in Episode VII, and she was to play a key part in Episode IX.

From what I've read, they are currently keeping all options open-- CGI the part ala Tarkin in Rogue One, cast a new actress and pretend that she was Leia all along, or even massively re-shooting Episode XIII and eliminating Leia's role altogether.

Speaking for myself, I hope that they go the Rogue One/Tarkin/CGI route. The technology is there. Any issues I had with Tarkin's appearance in Rogue One on my first viewing completely disappeared on my re-watch, and I want to see this story play out as originally imagined.

However, I do see the slippery slope. Nobody's image should ever enter the public domain, meaning I don't believe that people should ever be allowed to just start making movies "starring" John Wayne or anything like that. But, in extenuating circumstances such as this, as long as the family is on board, I feel it to be the best option available.

It's not as if it's unprecedented. Using CGI to finish a production* due to a death goes all the way back to Brandon Lee's tragic death while filming The Crow. IIRC, a something similar was done on The Hobbit movies when an actor fell ill. Ultimately, CGI can be considered one of the next steps in makeup and prosthetics.

I know that some find this process a little distasteful, and I understand that completely. However, in this instance, I'm of the opinion that CGI may be the best option available.

I'm sure that there will be differences of opinion on this. Let's hear them!

*In this instance, I'm considering the entire trilogy to be a single production.

 

[Venardhi]

Keep as much of her material from VIII as possible while still giving the character an "out." From there some creative editing, a few new lines of dialogue from behind or at a distance from someone who sounds like her, etc. can close the book on the character with some semblance of respect.

I don't want to see Leia unless it is Fisher, no matter how convincing the animation. That goes for all of them.

 

[Mage]

In itself, I don't mind the CGI actors. However, Carrie's passing is still quite recent by the time Episode IX will be made, and I could imagine her friends and loved ones not liking that. On the other hand, they might see it as an amazing tribute.

So, really.... I don't care about the fans' opinions here. I want to know if the family would be ok with it.

 

[Reverend]

Without having the slightest clue as to the plot of Episode VIII, one can hardly have an intelligent opinion on the subject of what they should do. It's up to them to figure that out.

That said, I do agree with the sentiment "bugger what the fans want, only do what the family are happy with." I don't care if it screws up the whole movie.

 

[Turtletrekker]

I don't want to see Leia unless it is Fisher, no matter how convincing the animation. That goes for all of them.

So, no interest in the young Han Solo movie?

Just to reiterate, as I said in my OP, as far as any CGI-ing of Carrie Fisher goes, "as long as the family is onboard."

For the record, although we will never know what Carrie herself would think, she apparently loved Leia's Rogue One cameo.

http://screenrant.com/carrie-fisher-rogue-one-cameo-reaction/

 

[Shamrock Holmes]

Not entirely on-topic, but I thought that Carrie looked quite similar to Kate Mulgrew in TFA, so I think they could work something around that if the Fishers & Lourds are okay with it. Otherwise, if her role in Ep VIII was completed prior to her death, I would be fine with them reworking Ep IX with another OT character in her role, Akbar likely being the easiest (His voice actor is being recast for VIII anyway and his original 'suit actor' is still available) although I'd be fine with them bringing back Billy Dee Williams as Lando or indeed either Caroline Blakiston or Genevieve O'Reilly (appropriately age-up) as Mon Mothma

 

[WarpFactorZ]

I don't want to see Leia unless it is Fisher, no matter how convincing the animation. That goes for all of them.

Obiwan Kenobi was "recast" for the prequel trilogy... and now many people associate Ewan McGregor with the character as much as Alec Guinness.

My opinion is that CGI is the best route to follow, assuming they can get the rights from the Fisher Estate. I was perfectly happy with CGI Tarkin in Rogue One. They can pull it off with Carrie Fisher, as well.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

Recast.

 

[Nightowl1701]

If recasting or CGI is out... well, they're gonna have a challenge on their hands if her planned role was that critical.

If George Lucas was still in charge he'd take a deep breath, throw out whatever he'd written, grab a fresh notepad and pencil and start over on page one with Leia's death announced in the opening crawl. If Ren's redemption is part of the storyline, say it was a sneak attack ordered by Snoke that Ren wasn't in the loop for; if not, say it was Ren that did it. Pick up in the immediate aftermath of the attack, where there's no body to bury and the Resistance is on the run from the attackers.

A possibility might be to have Billie Lourd's character (Lieutenant Kaydel Connix) suddenly revealed as a secret daughter of Han & Leia, Ren's sister, who'd been hiding in plain view. (Wouldn't be the first time!) That'd allow her to take up the lion's share of whatever Leia was supposed to do in IX, including an apparently-planned confrontation with Ren; either Mon Mothma, Ackbar or one of the other Resistance leaders could handle the rest.

 

[LJones41]

If recasting or CGI is out... well, they're gonna have a challenge on their hands if her planned role was that critical.

If George Lucas was still in charge he'd take a deep breath, throw out whatever he'd written, grab a fresh notepad and pencil and start over on page one with Leia's death announced in the opening crawl. If Ren's redemption is part of the storyline, say it was a sneak attack ordered by Snoke that Ren wasn't in the loop for; if not, say it was Ren that did it. Pick up in the immediate aftermath of the attack, where there's no body to bury and the Resistance is on the run from the attackers.

A possibility might be to have Billie Lourd's character (Lieutenant Kaydel Connix) suddenly revealed as a secret daughter of Han & Leia, Ren's sister, who'd been hiding in plain view. (Wouldn't be the first time!) That'd allow her to take up the lion's share of whatever Leia was supposed to do in IX, including an apparently-planned confrontation with Ren; either Mon Mothma, Ackbar or one of the other Resistance leaders could handle the rest.

I have to agree with you. I think Lucasfilm and Disney should consider re-writing Episode IX. I realize that a lot of people didn't have a problem with the CGI characters in "Rogue One", but I did. And so did a lot of other people. I was not that impressed by the CGI Peter Cushing and young Carrie Fisher. As I have stated before, it was like watching video game characters with this "dead in the eyes" look about them.

 

[Solariabsg25]

I'm wondering if they might do a re-write to nudge some of Leia's scenes from VIII to X. CGI is an option for some scenes I guess, but to be honest I still find it a very odd experience having to discuss this at all in accepting that Carrie is gone.

 

[Set Harth]

Apparently, Leia's role in Episode XIII was expanded from her small part in Episode XII

or even massively re-shooting Episode XIII

Um...

 

[dahj]

Um...

It's Disney, it's gonna happen eventually

 

[Gaith]

Carrie Fisher the person was unique and irreplaceable. Carrie Fisher the actress, not so much. Maybe she didn't get the chances to have a great film acting career; I don't know. But if she were replaced by, say, Julianne Moore, Meryl Streep, or maybe Smallville's Annette O'Toole for Ep. IX only, in order to give the character a non-tragic sendoff (considering all the hell TFA and its backstory put her through, and I doubt Ep. VIII will be much cheerier), I'd probably be fine with that.

 

[JD]

If recasting or CGI is out... well, they're gonna have a challenge on their hands if her planned role was that critical.

If George Lucas was still in charge he'd take a deep breath, throw out whatever he'd written, grab a fresh notepad and pencil and start over on page one with Leia's death announced in the opening crawl. If Ren's redemption is part of the storyline, say it was a sneak attack ordered by Snoke that Ren wasn't in the loop for; if not, say it was Ren that did it. Pick up in the immediate aftermath of the attack, where there's no body to bury and the Resistance is on the run from the attackers.

A possibility might be to have Billie Lourd's character (Lieutenant Kaydel Connix) suddenly revealed as a secret daughter of Han & Leia, Ren's sister, who'd been hiding in plain view. (Wouldn't be the first time!) That'd allow her to take up the lion's share of whatever Leia was supposed to do in IX, including an apparently-planned confrontation with Ren; either Mon Mothma, Ackbar or one of the other Resistance leaders could handle the rest.

Sorry to be nit-picky here, but I'm a nerd and I can't help it. Ren is not his name, it's his title, Darth for Vader and Sidious, he's part of the Knights of Ren, so I would assume that means each of them be "name Ren". If your referring to him by his name it wold be either Kylo or Ben.
I would prefer a CGI Carrie Fisher, but only only for EPIX so she can finish up the trilogy with the same appearance. Now if they continue on with the character after this trilogy, then I would want to see her recast.

 

[Nightowl1701]

He certainly doesn't use Ben anymore, and would likely insist on the full title Kylo Ren, true. I'll use that full title in future; I was simply saying Ren for the sake of brevity.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I completely forgot that Billie Lourd was in TFA

That said: Whatever Billie says should apply for Episode IX. If she gives her approval to recasting or CGI for Leia, then go for it. If she says no, then shift Leia's part to a different character.

 

[Turtletrekker]

Um...

Nope, I meant what I said there. One of the options I've heard is to re-write and re-shoot large portions of XIII before release in order to minimize Leia's role, as her part in XIII supposedly leads heavily into her part in IX.

 

[dahj]

Nope, I meant what I said there.

I think you meant to reference episodes 7(VII) an 8(VIII), and not 12(XII) and 13(XIII)

 

[Set Harth]

I completely forgot that Billie Lourd was in TFA

I had no idea.