Rian Johnson has teased ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ will feature "emotional" scenes with the late Carrie Fisher.
The movie legend reprised her role as General Leia Organa, alongside fellow veterans Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill, in the seventh installment of the franchise before she tragically died in December last year.
But the 43-year-old filmmaker has revealed the latest film will be a "really sad, but really joyful" experience for filmgoers as it will remind fans about Carrie’s death.
Speaking to USA Today, Johnson said: "I felt very strongly that we don’t try and change her performance. It will be really sad, but really joyful.
"Having these scenes in the film recontextualises tragically with her not being here anymore, it’s incredibly emotional.
"For the next few months, seeing the fans… process the loss and celebrate her as Leis one last time, it’s going to be intense.
"I think it’s going to be really sad but really joyful, I hope. She really kicks butt as General Leia, and I’m happy for that."
Hamill – who plays Luke Skywalker – recently promised fans they will "love" Carrie’s return as the iconic character in the upcoming new film, and he has revealed the creative team had to create a new ending for her character.
Speaking previously, he said: "You’re going to really love her in [‘Last Jedi’].
"I know they’re going to try and find a way to close her story in [Episode] nine that gives her the respect she deserves, because [Han Solo] was more prominent in [‘The Force Awakens’], Luke’s a little more prominent in Eight, and certainly Leia was meant to be more prominent in Nine.
"Worldwide, everyone feels that gap she left. But we all have to hang in there. And if she’s out there somewhere, we have to give her the one-finger salute. Come on everybody, for Carrie."
Rian Johnson says Carrie Fisher’s scene in Star Wars: The Last Jedi are emotional
