- The Washington Times - Monday, July 30, 2018

“Star Wars” actor Mark Hamill shared a tribute to the late Carrie Fisher Sunday afternoon, after the studio included her in the official cast announcement for the upcoming “Episode IX.”

Mr. Hamill said it was “bittersweet” working on the upcoming film without Fisher, but he was “finding solace in the fact that she won’t be replaced.”

Mr. Hamill and Fisher played long-lost twins Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa in the original and sequel trilogies of the multi-generational saga. 

Fans speculated on if or how Fisher’s Leia, now a general, would return for the still untitled Star Wars installment. She died in December 2016 ahead of a CGI appearance in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” Theories included various recasting rumors, CGI options and an off-screen death.

Lucasfilm and Disney announced that unseen footage from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” would be used to round out Gen. Leia’s story.

“Star Wars Episode IX” will round out the nine-movie Skywalker arc, which Fisher helped start in “Star Wars: A New Hope.” Mr. Hamill, Anthony Daniels, and Billy Dee Williams will all reprise their roles from the original trilogy in the last movie.

“Episode IX” beings filming on Aug. 1 and scheduled to hit theaters in December 2019.

• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.

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