Star Wars: The Last Jedi - 7 Big Problems It's Created For Episode IX

The sequel trilogy had big plans for series legends Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia. Each would take centre stage in one of its three instalments and their arcs would finally come to a close.

Han played a key role and met his end in The Force Awakens, Last Jedi was all about Luke and the original plan for Episode IX was to give Leia the sendoff she deserves. Sadly, Carrie Fisher's untimely death has made this impossible.

It's by no means a criticism of The Last Jedi to say Leia's story arc creates a huge conundrum for the sequel trilogy's concluding chapter. Tragic circumstances are the only reason J.J. Abrams must figure out a way to handle her endgame without Fisher.

Lucasfilm has already confirmed that it has no plans to digitally recreate Leia using CGI, a la Rogue One, which leaves few options available. Recasting the iconic role or wrapping up her story off screen seems just as insensitive.

In hindsight, you can bet Lucasfilm would have wrapped up Leia's story along with Luke's in Last Jedi had they known they wouldn't get the chance to do that in Episode IX. The decision to keep her at large in the saga has left Abrams with a real headache.