‘Star Wars’: No Digital Double For Leia Used For ‘The Rise Of Skywalker’

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is set to conclude not just the sequel trilogy, but the entire 9-episode Skywalker Saga that began in 1977. One of the most notable aspects about the production of this film was the announcement that unused footage of Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa from Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be repurposed into the film.

Fisher died suddenly in December 2016, and fans were concerned about the possibility of a digital recreation of the beloved actress as Leia to be used in The Rise of Skywalker. Lucasfilm initially released a statement refuting such plans to digitally recreate Leia for the remainder of the sequel trilogy.

Star Wars News Net reports that Lucasfilm’s ambitions not to digitally recreate Leia are true. According to SWNN’s source, here are some ways the team behind the scenes are incorporating unused footage in having Fisher’s Leia in the film:

“They are combining clips. There will also be no horrible digi-double that was used for Leia in Rogue One. This is all being done in what we call “comp.” There will be some digital work done (ageing, hair) so her face and body match, but not the uncanny valley like Tarkin in Rogue One. They will be changing her hair or adding wrinkles as she looked very different between TFA and TLJ.”

So as far as digital work is concerned, it is only being used for some touch-up shots on already-existing footage of Leia. Fans that were concerned about a digital recreation can relax.

Full plot details for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker are currently under wraps, though the film is set to conclude the Skywalker saga before the franchise takes a three-year hiatus from theaters.

Directed by J. J. Abrams, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker stars Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, Billie Lourd, Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant, Keri Russell, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Ian McDiarmid, and Billy Dee Williams. Carrie Fisher will appear as General Leia Organa through the use of previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will be released in theaters on December 20, 2019.

Source: SWNN