Director Rian Johnson says he wanted to leave Carrie Fisher’s complete performance in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, instead of changing its story after her death.
With Fisher tragically passing away on December 27, 2016, her filming of The Last Jedi has thankfully already wrapped.
It undoubtedly is the best decision for the sake of The Last Jedi, with any consequences being borne by the sequel.
With Kennedy repeatedly confirming that Fisher’s likeness will NOT be used for Episode IX, fans already knew that heading into The Last Jedi, it would be Leia’s last film.