Fan are expecting a lot from the final scenes featuring Carrie Fisher as the princess-turned-general.
The short clips of the actress that featured in the latest sizzle reel and the previous Vanity Fair video all indicate a powerful and highly-charged performance and storyline.
A recent statement by Last Jedi director Ryan Johnson about Fisher’s role as Princess Leia confirmed that the Skywalker heroine’s arc will provide “emotional satisfaction.”
Furthermore, recent leaks also indicated that she will have two particularly important scenes.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD
Johnson was responding to leaks that Leia’s story arc would “wrap up nicely” in Episode 8.
He said: “Carrie gives a really beautiful performance in the film. We obviously didn’t make the movie to be her final Star Wars movie. Given that though, I think there are scenes that she has that are going to mean a lot to people and there are scenes that we have with her where now not having her around I watch them and I think I’m really thankful that we have that and we can give that to people.
“So, ‘wraps up nicely?’, I don’t know but it emotionally gives some kind of catharsis I guess, gives some kind of emotional satisfaction, I really think so, I hope so. I know for me it does.”
Heartbreakingly, we already know that is is highly unlikley fans will ever get to see a Luke and Leia reunion. So what do Johnson’s comments allude to?
What can she do and with who that will give the audience such satisfaction? Most importantly, will it involve her troubled son who ended The Force Awakens by killing his father, Han Solo?
Star Wars expert Mike Zeroh, says that his sources at Pinewood and elsewhere indicate just that.
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He says: “Leia is going to have two big key scenes.. and in at least one of them she interacts with one of the main characters. I believe that will be her reuniting with her son, Ben Solo, now known as Kylo Ren. We have heard this before in the past. I believe a mother-son reunion would really touch a lot of people’s hearts.”
The second major scene could be related to her position as the leader and figurehead of the rebels.
Zeroh adds: “Maybe she (Leia) passes the torch as general of the Resistance to someone else? Perhaps the character that her (Carrie Fisher) daughter Billie Lord plays?”
There is no doubt a meeting between Leia and Kylo, formerly Ben Solo, would be very emotional. It would also potentially provide some sort of closure to the devastating family schism which drew him to the Dark Side and led to him killing Han.
Will Leia meet Kylo Ren some time around the huge climactic battle on Crait, which is expected to close Episode 8?
Is that why she looks so devastated in the Last Jedi footage shown at the D23 Disney Expo?
Although Johnson’s comments could be seen to be trying to reassure fans that Leia’s arc will be satisfying and complete, other comments from Kathleen Kennedy have indicated the opposite.
The head of Lucasfilm confirmed that Leia would have played a major role in Episode 9. Kennedy also revealed that Fisher herself had pushed for even greater involvement in the final Star Wars movie of the three trilogy cycle.
The best fans can hope from from The Last Jedi, is a powerful performance from Fisher and some dramatic scenes featuring Leia. From the early footage released, it looks like the film will deliver both.
Star Wars The Last Jedi is out on December 14.
Daily Express :: Entertainment Feed
