Footage of Carrie Fisher will not be used in Star Wars 9. While the newest Star Wars films have focused on young characters, one of the best parts for the older fans has been seeing the return of some of the beloved characters who had not been seen since Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. With Luke Skywalker only being seen in the final moments of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Han Solo now gone, the constant has been General Leia. She even made a brief appearance in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - courtesy of a bit of movie magic.

So when actress Carrie Fisher died suddenly at the end of 2016, it was a devastating blow to the fans who had waited so long for the story of Leia, Luke, and Han to continue. She had finished filming her role in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. But the fate of her character in Star Wars 9 was of immediate concern.

According to a statement that Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy gave to ABCNews, Carrie Fisher will not appear in Star Wars 9 as her iconic character Leia Organa. This is in spite of a statement made by the late actress' brother Todd Fisher, indicating that he and Fisher's daughter Billie Lourd had given permission for footage to be used of the late actress in the upcoming film. Earlier today Kennedy stated that no decision had been made about whether to include the footage or have Leia appear in some other fashion. She thinks that Todd Fisher was "confused" when he made his earlier statement about his sister being in the ninth film.

Kennedy earlier reported that Leia has quite a bit of screen time in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and gives a beautiful performance. Though whether her story concludes in The Last Jedi - or if there is footage which will allow it to conclude - is not known at this time. Fisher's death was quite sudden, leaving Lucasfilm no time to plan for how to end her story and continue without her. Kennedy did indicate in her interview that there was a conclusion in The Last Jedi, though whether she means a conclusion to Leia's story or simply that Fisher had concluded filming was not clear.

The loss of Fisher will certainly have a deep impact on Star Wars 9. Both in the loss of a fine actress and the franchise's original female hero.

Next: Watch Star Wars Celebration’s Carrie Fisher Tribute

Source: ABCNews