‘Star Wars 9’: Mark Hamill says it’s ‘Bittersweet’ to return as Luke without Carrie Fisher
Just after details emerged to confirm the Star Wars: Episode IX cast and the start of production, Mark Hamill took to Twitter to express that it’s “bittersweet” to head into this “final chapter” without the late Carrie Fisher.
“It’s bittersweet facing my final chapter without her-She is simply irreplaceable,” tweeted Hamill. “I’m finding solace in the fact that she won’t BE replaced & would love the worldwide outpouring of affection from those who loved her when they heard the news.#CarrieOnForever”
Hamill earlier tweeted the news that he would again appear in the film, and dropped news that Billy Dee Williams will be back – now confirmed by Lucasfilm.
Lucasfilm announced the Episode 9 details, the cast, which includes not only Williams as the iconic Lando Calrissian, but also returning veterans Hamill, Anthony Daniels, and the late Fisher.
Director JJ Abrams had this to say about bringing Fisher back in a posthumous performance of Leia Organa using previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens: “We desperately loved Carrie Fisher. Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us. We were never going to recast, or use a CG character. With the support and blessing from her daughter, Billie, we have found a way to honor Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII.”
Following the events of Last Jedi, the new film will also include Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, and Billie Lourd.
Also joining the cast of Episode IX are Naomi Ackie and Richard E. Grant. Earlier rumors have been confirmed, Keri Russell is indeed in the new film. Also back is composer John Williams, who has scored every chapter in the Star Wars saga since 1977’s Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.
Star Wars: Episode IX will be produced by Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Michelle Rejwan, and executive produced by Callum Greene and Jason McGatlin.
The crew includes Dan Mindel (Director of Photography), Rick Carter and Kevin Jenkins (Co-Production Designers), Michael Kaplan (Costume Designer), Neal Scanlan (Creature and Droid FX), Maryann Brandon and Stefan Grube (Editors), Roger Guyett (VFX Supervisor), Tommy Gormley (1st AD), and Victoria Mahoney(2nd Unit Director).
Star Wars: Episode IX is set for theaters next December.