Carrie Fisher completed work on Star Wars 8 before her death

The 60-year-old actor was also slated to appear in Episode 9

Carrie Fisher had a number of projects on the go ahead of her passing at the age of 60.

Sources have revealed, however, that one of them wasn't the upcoming Star Wars film - the actor, who played Princess Leia Organa in the original trilogy, had already completed her work on Episode VIII.

Fisher returned for JJ Abrams' The Force Awakens in 2015 with her character handed the elevated status of General. According to Variety, the sequel - directed by Rian Johnson - wrapped shooting in July and is now in post-production ahead of its release in cinemas next December.

The question mark will now surround Leia's appearance in Episode IX which was scheduled to begin production under the guide of Colin Trevorrow in 2018; Fisher was set to appear.

Fisher, star of such films as Postcards from the Edge and When Harry Met Sally..., suffered a heart attack on a plane as she flew to LA from London. She had been filming scenes for the third season of comedy series Catastrophe in which she appeared as Rob Delaney's mum.

Another role the actor was due to star in was a film titled Wonderwell directed by Vlad Marsavin; it is currently unknown whether she completed the project.

Over the years, the vibrant actor showcased a knack for both script doctoring and comedic timing which she deployed memorably at an awards ceremony honouring her Star Wars director George Lucas in 1995.