Carrie Fisher’s Last Jedi Footage May Also Be Used in Episode IX

According to a new report from ABC News’ Clayton Sandell on Star Wars News Net (via /Film), the late Carrie Fisher’s brother Todd Fisher has revealed that Lucasfilm‘s currently-filming Star Wars: Episode IX will utilize unseen footage shot for Star Wars: The Last Jedi in addition to the previously announced The Force Awakens cut scenes.

“I talked to Todd Fisher today about all of this and he has been talking with J. J. Abrams about it,” says Sandell. “I asked him, because the press release only said ‘The Force Awakens’ so I asked about ‘The Last Jedi,’ and they are also using unused footage from ‘The Last Jedi.’ I asked him how many minutes of footage they had from it and he said, ‘I can’t tell you that!’”

When Carrie Fisher unexpectedly passed away in December of 2016, Star Wars fans mourned the loss of a legendary icon, a sadness that was bolstered further when word spread that Episode IX was set to focus largely on Princess Leia. Nothing can bring back the iconic actress, but director J.J. Abrams, who is returning to helm the yet untitled Star Wars sequel, reportedly opted to give her a proper sendoff using unreleased footage from The Force Awakens.

“We desperately loved Carrie Fisher,” said Abrams previously in the official statement. “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.”

Abrams recently released the first photo from the set of Episode IX, and admitted the next chapter brought with it bittersweet feelings.

“Bittersweet starting this next chapter without Carrie, but thanks to an extraordinary cast and crew, we are ready to go,” wrote Abrams in his first ever Tweet. “Grateful for @rianjohnson and special thanks to George Lucas for creating this incredible world and beginning a story of which we are lucky to be a part. #IX”

Star Wars: Episode IX is currently filming at London’s Pinewood Studios with J.J. Abrams returning to direct the final installment of the Skywalker saga. Abrams co-wrote the screenplay with Chris Terrio (Argo, Justice League).

Returning cast members include Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, and Billie Lourd. Joining the cast of Episode IX are Naomi Ackie (Doctor Who), Richard E. Grant (Gosford Park, Hudson Hawk) and Keri Russell (The Americans), who will be joined by veteran Star Wars actors Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, and Billy Dee Williams, who will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian.

Composer John Williams, who has scored every chapter in the Star Wars saga since 1977’s A New Hope, will return to a galaxy far, far away with Episode IX.

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).

The film is scheduled for release in December 2019.