Mark Hamill addresses Carrie Fisher's appearance in Star Wars: Episode IX

'It’s bittersweet facing my final chapter without her'

Mark Hamill has said it’s “bittersweet” to start production on Star Wars: Episode IX without his beloved co-star and friend Carrie Fisher, who died in 2016.

A recent Lucasfilm announcement revealed Fisher’s Leia will make an appearance in the film, as director J.J. Abrams stated: “We desperately loved Carrie Fisher. Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us. We were never going to recast, or use a CG (computer-generated) character.”

“With the support and blessing from her daughter, Billie, we have found a way to honor Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII,” he added, referring to The Force Awakens.

With the announcement also unveiling a return for Hamill’s Luke Skywalker, despite his character seemingly meeting his end in The Last Jedi, the actor took to Twitter to post a moving message about the start of production.

“It’s bittersweet facing my final chapter without her,” Hamill wrote. “She is simply irreplaceable. I’m finding solace in the fact that she won’t BE replaced & would love the worldwide outpouring of affection from those who loved her when they heard the news. #CarrieOnForever.”

The cast of Episode IX will also see Billy Dee Williams reprise his role as Lando Calrissian, with Anthony Daniels back once more as C-3PO; alongside Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, and Billie Lourd.

The Star Wars universe will also open its doors to Richard E. Grant, Keri Russell, and Naomi Ackie – who will all feature in as-yet-unannounced roles.

Filming will begin in London on Wednesday, for release in December 2019.

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