Mark Hamill Says Carrie Fisher Was To Be 'More Prominent' In Star Wars: Episode IX

The death of Carrie Fisher resonated far, far away from our own galaxy.

The iconic actress who played Leia Organa in the Star Wars franchise since the beginning was intended to be a big part of the new trilogy, and co-star Mark Hamill recently said some of her bigger moments were still to come in 2019's Episode IX.

"You're going to really love her in [The Last Jedi]," Hamill said during a fan event at New York Comic Con Saturday night (via USA Today). "I know they're going to try and find a way to close her story in [Episode] 9 that gives her the respect she deserves, because [Han Solo] was more prominent in [The Force Awakens], Luke's a little more prominent in [The Last Jedi], and certainly Leia was meant to be more prominent in [Episode] 9."

Fisher had already wrapped production on The Force Awakens when she died from sleep apnea and other factors last December, so Leia's storyline remains as it was originally envisioned for that movie. However, as Hamill said, director J.J. Abrams and writers for Episode IX will need to find a new ending for Leia.

"Ordinarily, (Carrie's) timing was exquisite, but in this case, it's heartbreakingly difficult to even acknowledge the loss," Hamill said. It's still not clear how filmmakers will address Fisher's noticeable absence. 

Meanwhile, Hamill also spoke a little about Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi, and hinted that he won't be what you might expect. "No one just wants to see a retread of Obi-Wan Kenobi," he said. "We've seen the benevolent Jedi master training people."

We'll find out more when The Last Jedi arrives in theaters on Dec. 15. Meanwhile, watch (or rewatch) the latest trailer.