While I’m as excited as the next nerd for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker to be released, I’m also very prepared for tears. Lots of them. Because the film will mark the final big screen outing of Carrie Fisher — fittingly as Leia Organa, the character that shot her to worldwide fame — after her 2016 death.
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While she also featured in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, it’s really tough to think this is the last time we’ll see the legendary actor playing the legendary character on-screen.
The press tour for The Rise of Skywalker is in full swing, and the film’s stars are doing the rounds of media outlets chatting about the upcoming movie. In one particular interview, Daisy Ridley, who plays Rey in the latest Star Wars trilogy, told The Guardian about the moment she found out about Fisher’s untimely death — a call she got while enjoying a film at her local cinema.
I spoke to [my agent] Hylda, and went to the bathroom and wailed. Someone sweetly came up to me and asked if I wanted a refund for my ticket. I said, ‘No, I’m fine’ and then I wailed more.
To make matters slightly worse, Ridley then copped a parking ticket because she was crying in the toilet for so long.
The film’s director J.J. Abrams managed to include Leia in the final film thanks to unused footage from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Ridley told GQ UK how difficult it was to film scenes with Leia after the loss of Carrie Fisher.
It was emotional doing it, because you’re also weirdly picturing her. You’re not picturing how the scene is going to be. It’s really sad. And it’s going to be really sad. But also, it’s amazing that they have all this footage that is woven into the story in such a strange way.
In a lovely touch, Fisher’s daughter Billie Lourd will be reprising her role as Lieutenant Connix in the third movie. She told TIME:
J.J. asked me if I would want to come back… I knew it would be one of the most painful, difficult things I would ever do, but I said yes for her — for my mum. For Leia. For everyone Leia means so much to. For everyone Leia gives strength to. For my future kids, so someday they’ll have one more movie to watch that Mummy and Grandma were in together.
Okay that’s it, I’m done making y’all cry. Note to self and everyone else: bulk-buy tissues for the final film. This is gonna be a doozy.
