Star Wars Episode VII Will Have Carrie Fisher Return As Princess Leia

This isn't a delusion, laser brain.

By Brent McKnight | Updated

This article is more than 2 years old

Since it was announced that there will indeed be more Star Wars movies, and that the first of these, Episode VII, will continue the saga in the wake of Return of the Jedi, one burning question has dogged fans: will any of the original cast have roles in the new films? Thus far it’s been difficult to get a straight answer out of anyone. They say they don’t know, that they haven’t been contacted about it, or simply dance around the issue. That is until now. Carrie Fisher made a very definitive statement about her participation in Episode VII.

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During a Q & A with Palm Beach Illustrated, the actress and author, who, of course, played one of the most iconic characters in sci-fi history, was asked about appearing in J.J. Abrams’ film.

Here’s what the interviewer asked:

Disney is going to continue the Star Wars saga, producing movies set to hit theaters starting in 2015. Can you confirm whether you’ll reprise the role of Princess Leia?

The answer was shockingly simple and straightforward. Here is Fisher’s response:

Yes.

That sounds pretty cut and dry, doesn’t it? So if she’s to be believed, and why wouldn’t we at this point, that’s damn big news. It also raises the inevitable questions about whether or not Mark Hammill and Harrison Ford will also return. If Leia is back, it’s easy to assume that both Luke and Han must be as well. While you can imagine they’re likely to return, until there is confirmation it’s probably best to temper your enthusiasm. But it does sound like they’re getting the band back together.

When asked what she thinks Leia is like today, Fisher responded, “I just think she would be just like she was before, only slower and less inclined to be up for the big battle.” That’s a reasonable assessment, a kinder, gentler, less impulsive Leia, much less likely to get into a blaster fight.

The interview even touches on potential fashion, including her famous asexual bun hair style. Fisher joked that Leia would still wear “The bagel buns and the bikini, because probably she has sundowners syndrome. At sundown, she thinks that she’s 20-something. And she puts it on and gets institutionalized.”