The tragic and devastating passing of Carrie Fisher yesterday left her involvement in several projects in doubt, chiefly her role as General Leia Organa in the 'Star Wars' franchise.
According to Variety, the Rian Johnson-directed 'Episode VIII' wrapped filming in July with Fisher completing all her scenes, and the film is now in post-production ahead of its release next December. This means that Disney and LucasFIlm will not have to address Fisher's death in the immediate future.
However a question mark now hangs over 'Episode IX' which was set to begin production in 2018 under 'Jurassic World' director Colin Trevorrow and in which Fisher was slated to have a role in. How both the studios and the production choose to handle her absence remains to be seen.
Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy has said it will be difficult to imagine a world without Fisher, praising her in a post on the Star Wars website yesterday, saying:
“Carrie holds such a special place in the hearts of everyone at Lucasfilm it is difficult to think of a world without her. She was Princess Leia to the world but a very special friend to all of us. She had an indomitable spirit, incredible wit, and a loving heart. Carrie also defined the female hero of our age over a generation ago. Her groundbreaking role as Princess Leia served as an inspiration of power and confidence for young girls everywhere. We will miss her dearly.”
Fisher had several other ongoing projects including Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney's 'Catastrophe', which has wrapped filming on its third season. Fisher is set to appear in one episode in the upcoming season in her role as Delaney's unapologetic and caustic mother.
It's unclear if the show will address her passing but Horgan posted the below yesterday upon hearing the news of Fisher's death.