Star Wars fans are still in the process of healing from the tragic loss of Carrie Fisher. Yesterday, some photos were released from Star Wars: The Last Jedi and a few of them featured some lovely images of Fisher as Leia. The photos of her embracing her daughter Billie Lourd and Mark Hamill definitely brought out the emotions in fans.

While speaking with Vanity Fair, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy talked about Fisher and revealed that had she not passed away, she would have had a huge role in director Colin Trevorrow‘s Star Wars: Episode IX. That was the original plan for the actress and the character she played. When talking about Fisher’s time shooting The Last Jedi, Kennedy said:

“She was having a blast. The minute she finished, she grabbed me and said, ‘I’d better be at the forefront of IX!’ Because Harrison was front and center on VII, and Mark is front and center on VIII. She thought IX would be her movie. And it would have been.”

Leia would have been front and center in Star Wars: Episode IX! Wow. I hope one day we learn what that story would have been and how Leia’s arc would have played out. Lucasfilm and Trevorrow have obviously had to completely revamp the story. It’s hard to think that The Last Jedi will be the last film that we see Carrie Fisher in. I’ve been hearing that her performance is incredible, so I can’t wait to see it! 

Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in theaters on December 15th.