‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’: John Boyega On How The Film Sends Off Leia

After the tragic passing Carrie Fisher last December, many Star Wars fans were left wondering just how the iconic actress’ death would impact her role of General Leia Organa in the upcoming sequels, Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Episode IX. How would The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson handle what is essentially Fisher last performance as Leia?

During an appearance on Popcorn with Peter Travers, John Boyega, who plays Finn in the current Star Wars trilogy, spoke about Fisher’s death and how the character is handled in The Last Jedi. Here is what he said:

“This movie, it sends her off in a very amazing, amazing way. She’s still kept alive in this franchise. You know, that’s the beauty of it, she lives forever in a sense.”

Boyega’s statement seems to confirm that though Leia will have to be written out of the series, she will not be killed off, thankfully. To kill Leia off in the franchise might not be the best way of handling things, but the way Boyega describes the character’s send off, it sounds like Johnson and Lucasfilm found a good way to honor the character and the actress that so wonderfully brought her to life.

The next chapter in the Star Wars saga will be Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Written and directed by Rian Johnson, the film stars Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa, Daisy Ridley as Rey, John Boyega as Finn, Adam Driver as Kylo Ren, Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron, Lupita Nyong’o as Maz Kanata, Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Tico, Laura Dern as Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo, Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma, Andy Serkis as Supreme Leader Snoke, Domhnall Gleeson as General Armitage Hux, Benicio Del Toro as “DJ,” Joonas Suotamo as Chewbacca, Anthony Daniels as C-3PO and Jimmy Vee as R2-D2.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi hits theaters December 15, 2017.

Source: Popcorn with Peter Travers