“Forever Our Princess”: Half a Decade Later, Fans and Friends Remember Carrie Fisher

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carrie fisher empire strikes back behind the scenes

Credit: Lucasfilm

Five years ago, on December 27, 2016, Hollywood and the Star Wars fan community alike were shocked by the unexpected death of Carrie Fisher.

carrie-fisher-general-leia
Credit: Lucasfilm

Related: Could Carrie Fisher Stop Disney From Erasing Sequel Trilogy Events?

The daughter of Hollywood royalty — Carrie’s mother was silver screen icon Debbie Reynolds, and her father was the equally famous singer Eddie Fisher, who famously left Reynolds for Elizabeth Taylor — the late actress was cast in George Lucas’s Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) when she was just 19 years old.

princess leia a new hope
Credit: Lucasfilm

Related: 79-Year-Old Harrison Ford Reportedly Inks Deal to Return to ‘Star Wars’

The actress went on to become a cinematic legend as Princess Leia Organa, later Princess General Leia Organa Solo, in six of the nine Skywalker Saga films, encompassing the original trilogy and the sequel trilogy — the aforementioned A New Hope, Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980) , Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983), Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015), Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017), and Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019).

Archive footage was used in The Rise of Skywalker, which wasn’t filmed until after the late star’s death.

star wars a new hope (l-r han solo, leia organa, luke skywalker)
Credit: Lucasfilm

She is synonymous with costars Mark Hamill (Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker) and Harrison Ford (Han Solo), who have both spoken out about how much they miss her humor and unmatched candor in the years following her untimely passing.

Today, half a decade after the Star Wars franchise lost its Rebel Princess, fans and friends are remembering Carrie Fisher on social media.

Hamill, as always, posted a sweet tribute to his good friend. This year, he simply shared a screenshot of the TLJ credits, which read:

In Loving Memory of our Princess 

Carrie Fisher

In just an hour, the post has over 100,000 likes.

Related: Carrie Fisher Slapped Oscar Isaac 40+ Times on ‘Star Wars’ Set

Fan Drew Struzan shared a drawing of Fisher as Princess Leia, with the simple caption:

Forever in our hearts…

Related: Mark Hamill Shares Never-Before-Heard Story About Carrie Fisher

Fisher’s daughter, actress Billie Lourd (American Horror Story), shared a touching memorial to her “Momby”:

People always ask me what stage of grief I’m in. And my answer is never simple. I’m in a different stage of grief in each moment of every day. My grief is a multi course meal with many complicated ingredients. An amuse bouche of bargaining followed by an anger appetizer with a side of depression, acceptance for the entree and of course a little denial for dessert. And that’s how grief should be – all things all at once – actually there is no “should” in grief – grief just is whatever it is for you and that is how it “should be”. Ps for anyone wondering why I’m posting this on the 26th it’s the 27th here down unda (aka Tomorrowland) so what better thing to post for my Momby’s Australian death anniversary (4 words I never thought I’d be putting next to each other?!?) than this picture of her and I with a koala!? sending my love to anyone out there who needs it

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Billie Lourd (@praisethelourd)

Related: See Billie Lourd’s First Time on “Best Ride Ever” Rise of the Resistance

A Twitter user named Bea recently shared a collection of adorable photos of Hamill and Fisher during the original trilogy era, including an image with Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian) on set during ESB filming:

vintage pictures of mark hamill and carrie fisher’s wholesome friendship

Related: ‘Empire Strikes Back’ Is Box Office Gold First Weekend of Re-Release

Online Star Wars encyclopedia, Wookieepedia, joined in, sharing a poignant post:

Five years ago, Carrie Fisher became one with the Force. She left a lasting impact on all of us, inspiring generations to follow their dreams, and be true to themselves. May the Force be with you Princess, always.

Related: Mark Hamill Writes to ‘Mandalorian’ Director, Fans Have Poignant Reactions

Writer Jay Stobie took to social to say:

I never had the pleasure of meeting Carrie Fisher, but the bravery she demonstrated through her mental health advocacy inspired me to share my OCD experiences with others. It’s been 5 years since she left us, but her legacy of love and honesty lives on. Thank you, Carrie.

Related: ‘The Mandalorian’ Just Connected Grogu to Ben Solo

Finally, Nerd Girl Says left followers with words we can all live by each and every day:

Be the kind of person who would make Carrie Fisher proud.

As the Star Wars fandom remembers its Princess, share your favorite Carrie Fisher moment below.

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