Carrie Fisher's Daughter Billie Lourd Played Young Leia In STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER

The scene featuring young Leia in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was mostly achieved using digital effects, but Billie Lourd stood in for her late mother Carrie Fisher while the sequence was being shot.

By MarkCassidy - Jan 09, 2020 03:01 PM EST

Filed Under: Star Wars

When Rey returns to Ahch-To and encounter's Luke's force-ghost in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywlaker, we get a brief flashback scene involving a young Leia beginning her Jedi training after the battle of Endor in ROTJ. While the younger Luke was played played by a digitally de-aged Mark Hamill, it's now been revealed that Carrie Fisher's daughter Billie Lourd stood in for her late mom.

While chatting to Yahoo!, ILM visual effects supervisor Patrick Tubach revealed that Lourd acted out the sequence before digital effects were utilized to alter her face in post. Apparently, the actress's features were replaced with archival footage of Fisher from the original trilogy.

“It was an emotional thing for everybody to see her in that position,” Tubach said. “It felt great for us, too. If you’re going to have someone play [Fisher’s] part, it’s great that it’s [Billie] because there are a lot of similarities between them that we were able to draw from. The real challenge was just making the Leia footage we had to work with fit in that scene.”

Tell us, did you think Fisher and Leia were given a proper sendoff in The Rise of Skywalker, or did you find her scenes disrespectful? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to check out our rundown of all the movie's biggest reveals and most shocking moments below.

Simply click on the VIEW LIST (ONE PAGE) button below!

The Return of Emperor Palpatine

The Rise of Skywalker wastes no time in (re)introducing the saga's big bad, Emperor Palpatine.

After a brief action sequence which culminates with Kylo Ren getting his hands on a "Sith Wayfinder," the Supreme Leader uses the device to track down the ancient villain on the Sith homeworld. It's never fully explained how Palpatine was able to resurrect himself, but it is strongly hinted that cloning was involved. It's also confirmed that The Emperor "made" Snoke and was speaking through him all along.

Palpatine tells Ren that he cam become the new Emperor with the might of the "Final Order" behind him if he finds and kills Rey.

Master Leia

We then catch up with Poe, Finn and Chewie aboard The Falcon as they get word of a spy within the First Order before narrowly escaping back to the Resistance base where Rey is continuing her Jedi training, this time under a new master: Leia.

The spy reveals to Poe that Palpatine has returned and has been pulling the strings all along. Rey remembers that Luke had been searching for The Emperor many years ago and needed the wayfinder to pinpoint his location, so she, Finn, Poe, Chewie and the droids leave for its last known whereabouts, Pasana.

Rey Unleashes the Lightning

A lot happens on the desert planet of Pasana, so we're going to skip over some of the setup.

Kylo finds out where Rey and co. are, and our heroes are forced to flee on speeders (after an all-too-brief appearance from Lando Calrissian). After crashing, they happen upon a wounded creature that Rey is able to heal using her force abilities. They also find a Sith dagger that points the way to the wayfinder (yes, seriously).

Before they can leave the planet, Chewie is captured and taken aboard a transport. When Kylo Ren shows up, he and Rey get into a force tug-of-war with the ship which ends when Rey inadvertently destroys it with force-lightning (you know where this is going), seemingly killing Chewie in the process.

Threepio's Mind-Wipe

The dagger has been lost (Chewie was carrying it), but Threepio has memorized the inscription. His programming forbids him from accessing the information, however, so the heroes decide to travel to Kimji in order to hack into the droid's mind manually.

There, they encounter an old criminal friend of Poe's named Zorri Bliss, who leads them to tiny alien hacker Babu Frik. Frik accesses the information, but has to wipe Threepio's mind in the process.

The First Order soon arrives, and Rey realizes that Chewie is still alive.

Rey's True Parentage Revealed

Around this point, we get one of the biggest - and most controversial - revelations.

While Finn and Poe set off to rescue Chewie, Rey goes to retrieve the dagger and comes face to face to Kylo. Her nemesis tells her that she is actually Palpatine's granddaughter, and he had her parents - who were "nobodies" only because they chose to be - murdered when they wouldn't disclose her location.

Rey manages to escape with some help from The Falcon's thrusters, and rejoins her friends.

The Death of Kylo Ren

The intel from Threepio's mind leads them to the ruins of the Death Star on Endor, and Rey sets off alone to retrieve the wayfinder. While searching the ruins, she sees a vision of what she could become if she were to turn to the dark side.

Rey finds the device, but Kylo is waiting for her outside the chamber and destroys it, telling her the only way she gets to The Emperor is with him. Kylo gets the upper hand in the ensuing fight, but before he can land a killing blow, he's distracted by his mother's voice in his head.

Leia uses the last of her strength to reach her son, allowing Rey to drive his own lightsaber through his chest. As Leia dies, Rey decides to use her power to heal Ren, and sets off in his Tie-Fighter.

Han Solo

As Kylo ponders his next move, a familiar voice behind him says "hey, kid," and he's greeted by a vision of his father.

This may sound cheesy on paper, but it's actually one of the best scenes in the movie, as Han Solo attempts to reach his son one last time by telling him that "Kylo Ren is dead," and that Ben Solo can still find redemption by fighting for what his mother believed in.

Ben finally understands what he needs to do, and tosses the weapon he used to kill his father into the ocean.

Luke Returns

Image result for luke the rise of skywalker

After what happened on Endor, Rey decides to return to Ahch-To and go into exile as Luke once did. She burns the Tie-Fighter and tosses her lightsaber into the fire, but it's caught by Luke Skywalker's force-ghost, who tells her a Jedi weapon should be treated with more respect (see what he did there?).

Luke convinces Rey to face her grandfather and gives her Leia's saber, which she did away after deciding not to complete her Jedi training. Skywalker then raises his old X-Wing from the water, and Rey sets off for the Sith homeworld.

Palpatine's Plan

As Poe, Finn and the others launch an attack on the Last Order fleet (there's no point in covering this in any detail), Rey arrives in The Emperor's throne room and faces her grandfather. Palpatine tells her that he wants her to give in to her hate and strike him down, as this will allow him and the spirits of all previous Sith Lords to inhabit her body, and she can then take his place as Empress.

Rey considers it, but then senses Ben Solo's presence and passes him Leia's lightsaber via their shared force connection. Ben dispatches the Knights of Ren (how useless they turned out to be), and stands side-by-side with his former enemy.

"I Am All Of The Jedi..."

Palpatine tells Rey and Ben that if they stand together they can die together, and begins to absorb their life force as the Resistance fleet suffers heavy losses (no main characters die, but we do lose *checks notes* Snap Wexley).

He then flings Ben into an abyss, and turns his attention to his granddaughter, who is revived by the voices of the Jedi from the past.

The Emperor is now fully rejuvenated, and unleashes the full power of The Sith upon Rey via force lightning. Rey uses both lightsabers to deflect Palpatine's blasts back at him, telling her twisted grandfather that she is "all of the Jedi," and destroying him once and for all (probably).

Ben's Sacrifice

The effort of destroying Palpatine drains Rey completely, and she slumps to the ground. Ben climbs out of the abyss and cradles her lifeless body, before laying his hand on her chest and channeling his force energy to bring her back from the dead.

Rey wakes, and kisses her former enemy - but Ben gave his life to resurrect her, and succumbs. As his body becomes one with the force, we see that his mother's also fades away back on the Resistance base.

Celebration

The heroes return home, and there are lots of hugs and kisses to go 'round.

Maz Kanata gives Chewie Leia's insignia, Lando promises to help Jannah discover her roots, and Rey, Finn and Poe share an emotional embrace.

This is the last time we see most of the characters, but Rey gets an epilogue.

Rey Skywalker

Rey and BB-8 make their way to the Lars moisture farm on Tatooine where Luke grew up. After looking around, Rey buries both lightsabers in the sand and ignites one she made herself. This Jedi weapon appears to have been crafted from her staff, and has a golden blade.

An old woman passing by tells Rey that nobody has been in the area for many years, and asks her name. "Rey Skywalker," is the young Jedi's response, as she sees the force ghosts of Luke and Leia looking on with pride.

The final shot of the Skywalker Saga is Rey and BB-8 watching the twin suns set.

STAR WARS: Lando Calrissian Actor Billy Dee Williams On Blackface - Why Not? You Should Do It

Recommended For You:

STAR WARS: Is Latest "Star Tours" Update Teasing Dave Filoni's Plans For A HEIR TO THE EMPIRE Movie?

DISCLAIMER: ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and... [MORE]

ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

Do you have what it takes to write for us?

Want to contribute?

49 Comments

1 2

Steel86 - 1/9/2020, 3:46 PM

First

RolandD - 1/9/2020, 5:18 PM

@Steel86 - You know that hasn’t been a thing for years, right?

Steel86 - 1/9/2020, 8:27 PM

@RolandD - Haha, yes but I had to get at least one in. 👍

RolandD - 1/10/2020, 4:34 AM

@Steel86 - 😂

whynot - 1/9/2020, 3:47 PM

Very respectful. Also one of my top 5 fav sequences

bobevanz - 1/9/2020, 3:51 PM

Yeah I could see the resemblance, you can't fool me muahaha

DannRamm113 - 1/9/2020, 3:51 PM

Didn't watch TROS

But, I will say, Billie Lourd was [frick]ing awesome in Booksmart last year. Stole the ENTIRE movie in my opinion.

DannRamm113 - 1/9/2020, 3:54 PM

Also OT: HBO is working with Bong Joon Ho on a Parsite series

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/adam-mckay-bong-joon-ho-teaming-parasite-limited-series-hbo-1268397

I'm personally okay with this, after watching the movie (my favorite of last year) I said an american remake could work, because the themes of the movie are extremely universal. If it were me doing this, I would make both families african american though, because I feel like that's the best way to do this without fear of "whitewashing"

LlamaLord - 1/9/2020, 8:11 PM

@DannRamm113 - Loved her in AHS 1984.

Nightwing1015 - 1/9/2020, 4:28 PM

That was one of the best scenes in the movie. Honestly if they had done a whole movie like that, set right after Jedi I feel it would've been great. But I guess something like that would've been too expensive.

VicSage - 1/9/2020, 4:43 PM

UNRELATED:

Scott Derrickson has just parted ways with Marvel. No longer directing Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

RolandD - 1/9/2020, 5:20 PM

@VicSage - Not completely parting ways unless you have additional information. He’s supposed to stay on as EP, but this is still disappointing.

Nebula - 1/9/2020, 4:51 PM

I think we'd all be fine with Billie playing Leia in movies in which they need OT-age Leia. It's only fitting, I'm sure Carrie would approve.

RolandD - 1/9/2020, 5:23 PM

Nice touch. I just saw TROS and I don’t understand all of the hate. My biggest argument against the series is how Luke was treated in TFA and the Gus half or so of TLJ. I am also disappointed as Hamill has also pointed out, that there was no Leia, Han and Luke reunion.

1 2

Related Headlines

Star Wars

STAR WARS: Lando Calrissian Actor Billy Dee Williams On Blackface - "Why Not? You Should Do It"

MarkCassidy

Apr 11, 2024 06:04 AM

Star Wars

STAR WARS: Is Latest "Star Tours" Update Teasing Dave Filoni's Plans For A HEIR TO THE EMPIRE Movie?

JoshWilding

Apr 10, 2024 04:04 AM

Video Games

STAR WARS OUTLAWS Release Date Announced With Pre-Order Details And Special Editions

MattIsForReal

Apr 09, 2024 06:04 PM

Related Headlines

Star Wars

STAR WARS: Lando Calrissian Actor Billy Dee Williams On Blackface - "Why Not? You Should Do It"

MarkCassidy

Apr 11, 2024 06:04 AM

Star Wars

STAR WARS: Is Latest "Star Tours" Update Teasing Dave Filoni's Plans For A HEIR TO THE EMPIRE Movie?

JoshWilding

Apr 10, 2024 04:04 AM

Video Games

STAR WARS OUTLAWS Release Date Announced With Pre-Order Details And Special Editions

MattIsForReal

Apr 09, 2024 06:04 PM

Star Wars

STAR WARS: Daisy Ridley On Decision To Return For Rey-Focused Movie - "I Feel More Like I'm Owning It"

MarkCassidy

Apr 09, 2024 10:04 AM

Star Wars

STAR WARS: DAWN OF THE JEDI Finds A Writer In ANDOR Scribe, But When Will James Mangold Direct SWAMP THING?

JoshWilding

Apr 06, 2024 03:04 PM

Star Wars

Deadpool & Wolverine

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

JoshWilding

7 hours ago

Mad Max

Anya Taylor-Joy's FURIOSA Is Ready For War On New Total Film Covers

MarkCassidy

7 hours ago

Latest Headlines

No Way Home

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME Concept Art Reveals A Surprising New Design For A "Junkyard" Vulture

JoshWilding

6 hours ago

Deadpool & Wolverine

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

JoshWilding

7 hours ago

Mad Max

Anya Taylor-Joy's FURIOSA Is Ready For War On New Total Film Covers

MarkCassidy

7 hours ago

Sci-Fi

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score (And It's Zack Snyder's Worst-Reviewed Movie Yet)

JoshWilding

8 hours ago

The Witcher

THE WITCHER Season 5 Will Be The Show's Last As Netflix Rushes To Adapt Andrzej Sapkowski's Final Three Books

JoshWilding

9 hours ago

Deadpool & Wolverine

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Theatre Standee Gives Us A New Live-Action Look At Logan And Wade Wilson

MarkCassidy

9 hours ago

Hot Headlines

138 comments

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Rumored To Introduce Norrin Radd Alongside Julia Garner's Silver Surfer

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

111 comments

MADAME WEB Star Sydney Sweeney Responds To Producer Who Said "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

107 comments

Leonardo DiCaprio Was In Talks To Play Lex Luthor In BVS; Gave Zack Snyder JUSTICE LEAGUE Idea

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

92 comments

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Shares New Behind-The-Scenes Photo With David Corenswet And Rachel Brosnahan

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

83 comments

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

TRANSFORMERS ONE Character Posters Highlight The Movie's Divisive Animation Style

More Cartoons & Animated ►

Bethesda's Todd Howard On What's Next: ELDER SCROLLS VI, FALLOUT 5, And STARFIELD

More Anime & Manga ►

ABIGAIL Spoilers: Find Out What Happens - And Who Shows Up - In New Horror Comedy

More Horror ►

JAMES BOND: Henry Cavill Isn't Closing The Door On Playing 007; Maybe I'm Too Old Now. Maybe I'm Not...

More Action Movies & TV ►

The Undertaker Talks Relationship With The Rock Following WRESTLEMANIA Clash As Final Boss Vows Revenge

More Pro Wrestling ►

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA Stills Showcase Anya Taylor-Joy's Road Warrior And Chris Hemsworth's Dementus

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

More Cartoons & Animated ►

More Anime & Manga ►

More Horror ►

More Action Movies & TV ►

More Pro Wrestling ►

Carrie Fisher's Daughter Billie Lourd Played Young Leia In STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER

The scene featuring young Leia in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was mostly achieved using digital effects, but Billie Lourd stood in for her late mother Carrie Fisher while the sequence was being shot.

The Return of Emperor Palpatine

Master Leia

Rey Unleashes the Lightning

Threepio's Mind-Wipe

Rey's True Parentage Revealed

The Death of Kylo Ren

Han Solo

Luke Returns

Palpatine's Plan

"I Am All Of The Jedi..."

Ben's Sacrifice

Celebration

Rey Skywalker

STAR WARS: Lando Calrissian Actor Billy Dee Williams On Blackface - "Why Not? You Should Do It"

STAR WARS: Is Latest "Star Tours" Update Teasing Dave Filoni's Plans For A HEIR TO THE EMPIRE Movie?

STAR WARS: Lando Calrissian Actor Billy Dee Williams On Blackface - "Why Not? You Should Do It"

STAR WARS: Is Latest "Star Tours" Update Teasing Dave Filoni's Plans For A HEIR TO THE EMPIRE Movie?

STAR WARS OUTLAWS Release Date Announced With Pre-Order Details And Special Editions

STAR WARS: Lando Calrissian Actor Billy Dee Williams On Blackface - "Why Not? You Should Do It"

STAR WARS: Is Latest "Star Tours" Update Teasing Dave Filoni's Plans For A HEIR TO THE EMPIRE Movie?

STAR WARS OUTLAWS Release Date Announced With Pre-Order Details And Special Editions

STAR WARS: Daisy Ridley On Decision To Return For Rey-Focused Movie - "I Feel More Like I'm Owning It"

STAR WARS: DAWN OF THE JEDI Finds A Writer In ANDOR Scribe, But When Will James Mangold Direct SWAMP THING?

STAR WARS Creator George Lucas Tops The Forbes List Of The Richest Entertainers In The World

Popular Headlines

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD Happy Meal Toys Reveal A First Look At MCU’s Take On Red Hulk

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Theatre Standee Gives Us A New Live-Action Look At Logan And Wade Wilson

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

MCU Rumor Roundup: AVENGERS 5 Shoot Date, X-MEN Synopsis, Natalia Tena's Role, & More - Possible SPOILERS

BATMAN v SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE Director Zack Snyder FINALLY Explains The Infamous "Martha!" Scene

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME Concept Art Reveals A Surprising New Design For A "Junkyard" Vulture

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

Anya Taylor-Joy's FURIOSA Is Ready For War On New Total Film Covers

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME Concept Art Reveals A Surprising New Design For A "Junkyard" Vulture

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

Anya Taylor-Joy's FURIOSA Is Ready For War On New Total Film Covers

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score (And It's Zack Snyder's Worst-Reviewed Movie Yet)

THE WITCHER Season 5 Will Be The Show's Last As Netflix Rushes To Adapt Andrzej Sapkowski's Final Three Books

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Theatre Standee Gives Us A New Live-Action Look At Logan And Wade Wilson

Hot Headlines

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Rumored To Introduce Norrin Radd Alongside Julia Garner's Silver Surfer

MADAME WEB Star Sydney Sweeney Responds To Producer Who Said "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

Leonardo DiCaprio Was In Talks To Play Lex Luthor In BVS; Gave Zack Snyder JUSTICE LEAGUE Idea

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Shares New Behind-The-Scenes Photo With David Corenswet And Rachel Brosnahan

TRANSFORMERS ONE: Chris Hemsworth And Scarlett Johansson Assemble The Autobots In First Trailer

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA Stills Showcase Anya Taylor-Joy's Road Warrior And Chris Hemsworth's Dementus

THE ACOLYTE Has Reportedly Added SUPERGIRL Star David Harewood In A Mystery Role

SNOW WHITE Rumors May Clear Up "Seven Dwarfs" Confusion; Rachel Zegler's Princess Will Be "More Independent"

Cartoons & Animated Features

TRANSFORMERS ONE Character Posters Highlight The Movie's Divisive Animation Style

SNOW WHITE Rumored Plot Details May Clear Up Seven Dwarfs/Seven Bandits Confusion

TRANSFORMERS ONE Trailer Reveals The Origins Of Optimus Prime And Megatron

Gaming

Bethesda's Todd Howard On What's Next: ELDER SCROLLS VI, FALLOUT 5, And STARFIELD

THE WITCHER Has Been Renewed AND Canceled As Season 5 Is Confirmed To Be The Show's Last

FALLOUT TV Series Renewed For Second Season After Impressive Debut On Prime Video

Anime & Manga

SPY X FAMILY CODE: WHITE Hits North America Theaters Today

MY HERO ACADEMIA: MEMORIES English Dub Streams Coming To Crunchyroll This Weekend

Studio Ghibli's SPIRITED AWAY Is Returning To U.S. Theaters This Month

Horror

ABIGAIL Spoilers: Find Out What Happens - And Who Shows Up - In New Horror Comedy

TRAP: First Trailer For M. Night Shyamalan's Latest Spoils The Big Twist

IMMACULATE Star Sydney Sweeney Has Been Slammed By A Hollywood Producer: "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

Action Movies & TV

JAMES BOND: Henry Cavill Isn't Closing The Door On Playing 007; "Maybe I'm Too Old Now. Maybe I'm Not..."

Alex Garland's CIVIL WAR Is The #1 Movie In North America- Opens To $25.7M

THE ACCOUNTANT 2 Adds Four More Actors Including JURASSIC WORLD Star Daniella Pineda

Pro Wrestling & MMA News

The Undertaker Talks Relationship With The Rock Following WRESTLEMANIA Clash As Final Boss Vows Revenge

Damian Priest Reflects On How It Felt To Cash In His Money In The Bank Briefcase At WRESTLEMANIA

AEW EVPs Matt And Nick Jackson, The Young Bucks, Have "No Regrets" After Airing ALL IN Footage

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA Stills Showcase Anya Taylor-Joy's Road Warrior And Chris Hemsworth's Dementus

THE ACOLYTE Has Reportedly Added SUPERGIRL Star David Harewood In A Mystery Role

SNOW WHITE Rumors May Clear Up "Seven Dwarfs" Confusion; Rachel Zegler's Princess Will Be "More Independent"

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score Has Been Revealed (And It's Not Good)