Their focus now is on the trickier story standpoint; the script for Episode IX is finished, with the production set to start in summer.
We won’t find out what exactly Trevorrow and co. have planned for Leia, but it sounds like they’ve done everything to make it a fitting sendoff.
This isn’t the most surprising news given that Fisher was originally set to appear in Episode IX – some changes would naturally need to be made – but Kennedy’s comments suggest that the adjustments have been rather impactful, fitting of a planned increased role for the character.
That said, it has been previously stated that the exact ending of the sequel trilogy wasn’t set at the time of The Force Awakens release, so it’s unclear how much of an impact this will have had on the overall conclusion. Whatever’s planned, Lucasfilm’s handling of Fisher’s death so far has been exemplary, with every public discussion on the topic and the emotional tribute at Celebration’s 40th Anniversary panel being respectful of both the actress and character’s legacy.