Star Wars: The Last Jedi: Leia sees Poe Dameron as a 'surrogate son', Oscar Isaac reveals

'But also I think she sees in him the potential for a truly great leader of the Resistance and beyond'

General. Hero. Princess. Mother.

Carrie Fisher was both all these things onscreen, as Star Wars' Leia Organa, and off of it. This year's The Last Jedi, in its own way, marks our last chance to say goodbye to the star after her unexpected death in December of last year.

Entertainment Weekly has revealed some of the film's plans for the iconic character, as she continues to lead the Resistance, now vulnerable after the destruction of the Republic capital and its leaders in The Force Awakens.

The Last Jedi will now see her story intertwine with Oscar Isaac's Poe Dameron, with a special bond blossoming between the two; particularly in light of the losses Leia has suffered, having seen Han Solo killed at the hands of their own son, Ben Solo AKA Kylo Ren (Adam Driver).

"Poe is in some ways a surrogate son for Leia," Isaac described. "But also I think she sees in him the potential for a truly great leader of the Resistance and beyond."

"Poe’s arc is one of evolving from a heroic soldier to a seasoned leader, to see beyond the single-mindedness of winning the battle to the larger picture of the future of the galaxy," he continued. "I think Leia knows she won’t be around forever and she, with tough love, wants to push Poe to be more than the badass pilot, to temper his heroic impulses with wisdom and clarity."

And though the loss of Fisher may still be raw, Isaac shared with EW one particularly precious memory about the star.

"One of my favorite things that would happen from time to time on set would be when Carrie would sing old songs," he said. "Whenever that would happen I would offer her my hand and we would waltz around the set – on a starship, in a Rebel base, on an alien planet, and she would sing and we would dance. So surreal and beautiful to think about now. For all of her delicious, wicked humor and fiery energy she also had such sweet grace. I miss her dearly."

Star Wars: The Last Jedi hits UK cinemas 14 December.