Carrie Fisher: In Remeberance · 6:48am Dec 29th, 2016
2016 has been a rough year for all of us, with so many unsavory events and many celebrities we knew and loved passing on.
For fans of the legendary Star Wars series, what happen on December 27th, 2016, was a blow that NONE of us were expecting:
Carrie Fisher, legendary actress of Princess Leia, passed away at age 60. Such a young age, even for today.
This was both a blow and a SHOCK for both casual and devoted fans alike, especially with the newest of the Star Wars sequels just coming out. Word is that Carrie was able to complete her filming before this tragedy, but her death is still a blow to both the franchise, her fans, and especially her family.
As I was writing this blog, I just received word that her mother, Debbie Reynolds, famous for her role of "Singing in the Rain", died shortly after Carrie's death. I can't imagine what was going through her mind when this whole tragedy started.
I will admit as a fan of the Star Wars series, I haven't seen many movies of Carrie Fisher's other roles besides Princess Leia, and I'm smacking myself on the head that I haven't. I remember seeing cameos of her in the "Blues Brothers", "Sibling Rivals", and "Austin Powers", but other than that, I didn't really recall any MAJOR role that I knew that Carrie did in my youth besides Princess Leia.
Now, some may call this type-casting, but the fact that Carrie Fisher made this character so memorable in both Star Wars any beyond speaks volumes about how Carrie was accomplishing as an actress.
Take the very first major appearances that Leia had in the Star Wars series:
In many stories before, often Princesses where characters that fit the stereotype of "helpless damsel in distress", Leia is FAR from helpless. Just as soon as she appears out of the shadows, and instead of cowering, she takes a SHOT at the stormtroopers, showing that she's a woman of action, and doesn't hide in the shadows!
Even as royalty, Princess Leia would not bend over and cower in the face of the Empire, even at the destruction of her own HOMEWORLD by the Death Star! In the subsequent films to come, Leia has proven to both the Rebellion and the Galaxy as a whole that she is not a woman that would stand by as the rest of the Galaxy suffered, even scoffing and standing her ground in the face of both Jabba the Hutt, Grand Moff Tarkin, and her unknown father Darth Vader.
Carrie Fisher didn't just succeed in bringing such a wonderful character to life, she set an example for Princesses in action for many genres to come, showing that royals don't have to sit back and let the world crumble, but they themselves can take action and fight for what's right. She was strong, determined, fierce when pushed, and knew how to fight and talk when necessary.
Rest in Peace Carrie Fisher.
You've brought so much fun and joy to both girls and boys alike.
The Force was, is, and always shall be with you and your family....
My family and I were absolutely stunned when we heard about this. It seemed surreal. Unbelievable. Just as you yourself said, this is nothing less than a shocking blow to us all. Her death will be keenly felt for years to come.
We'll get to see her one more time next year, since she finished filming Episode VIII. Though that still leaves IX up in the air...
Her passing makes the force feel a little empty
I was stunned and saddened by the news. Still she is one of the greatest actors in history.