Carrie Fisher Honored At ‘Star Wars’ Celebration

The Star Wars universe is celebrating its 40th anniversary in Orlando, Fla., with a four-day convention this weekend. Exclusive content and panel discussions will and have been shared with fans but unfortunately, one of the universes’ most celebrated characters was not there.

Carrie Fisher, who played Princess Leia in Episodes IV, V, VI, and VII, was honored at the convention on Thursday. Fisher passed away on December 27, 2016.

Fisher’s daughter Billie Lourd, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, George Lucas, Billy Dee Williams, and Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy were all present for the 90-minute panel discussion honoring Fisher.

A video tribute was shown, causing several of the panel members and many fans in the audience to tear up.

Lourd, who spoke to the crowd about her mother as both a person and as her most famed character, wore a

“Nothing about her was a performance,” Lourd said. “She loved you, she loved these movies, she loved the people she got to make them with, and she loved this incredible character she got to create, this force called Leia.”

Although Lourd was unable to speak about Fisher’s presence during the filming of Star Wars, plenty of others were on hand to enlighten the crowd about Fisher’s power.

“She had to hold her own against two big lugs, these goofballs who were screwing everything up,” Lucas said, referring to Hamill and Ford. “She was the boss and it was her war. She wore a dress during the whole thing, but she was the toughest one of the group.”

Kennedy spoke to Fisher’s lasting impact. “She will be remembered forever, even by those who are not old enough yet to say the words, ‘May the Force be with you.”

In addition to the moving tribute to Fisher, fans were treated to the first teaser trailer for Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi. 

Watch the trailer below.