One of the more bittersweet elements in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is the film will feature a posthumous performance from Carrie Fisher, who'll reprise her role as Leia Organa by way of unused footage from The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.
According to Daisy Ridley, who plays Rey, acting out new material interwoven with the archival footage under the knowledge that she was performing opposite a recently departed friend and colleague made for a supremely emotional experience.
"It was definitely difficult," Ridley said in an interview with GQ magazine. "It was emotional doing it, because you’re also weirdly picturing her. You’re not picturing how the scene is going to be."
Trailers and promotional clips of The Rise of Skywalker have shown Leia interacting with Rey in an unknown capacity as the two women embrace. Noting that the final product -- used with the permission of Fisher's family -- appears sad and strangely beautiful, Ridley hopes that Fisher's final role elevates the story and serves as a proper sendoff for the iconic actor.
"It’s really sad. And it’s going to be really sad," Ridley said. "But also, it’s amazing that they have all this footage that is woven into the story in such a strange way.”
Directed and co-written by J.J. Abrams, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker stars Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong'o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, Billie Lourd, Keri Russell, Matt Smith, Anthony Daniels, Mark Hamill, Billy Dee Williams and Carrie Fisher, with Naomi Ackie and Richard E. Grant. The film arrives on Dec. 20.