Star Wars: 9 Things We Could See In Episode IX

After the devastating loss of Carrie Fisher, her storyline and performance in The Last Jedi was even more powerful. However, with her death come complications for the character in Episode IX.

We had Han Solo die in VII, Luke die in VIII, it is feasible the Leia's story was set to end in IX. While that may still happen, the story may now begin with her death, rather than end with it.

There are a few ways this could be handled. As Disney have already made it clear that they will not be using CGI (à la Tarkin in Rogue One) to keep her in the film, that leaves the following options: Start the film by explaining Leia's death in the opening crawl. There could even be a funeral scene with Force Ghost Luke even turning up. A sad end to Leia's storyline but perhaps a fitting one.

On the other hand, should Disney and JJ Abrams not wish to simply kill off the character, Leia could possibly stay in the movie as an off-screen presence. While it may be a little jarring, The Last Jedi set up a scenario way Leia could plausibly be tied up gathering the remnants of the resistance in another part of the galaxy while the real action goes on between Rey and Kylo Ren.

More details will undoubtedly be revealed as we get closer to the release date, but right now Disney's hands do appear to be somewhat tied.