However, there are a few possibilities that bear further examination based on what is already in wide distribution via trailers, deleted scenes, and persistent rumors. Here are a few possibilities...
Maz Kanata’s Castle
One of the most memorable sequences from the epic full trailer for The Force Awakens that premiered at Celebration Anaheim in 2015 featured a passing of the baton in the form of Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber from The Empire Strikes Back (last seen careening down a chasm courtesy of Darth Vader) being handed from one person to another. Upon multiple viewings, it became clear that the hand that received the Jedi weapon belonged to Leia Organa, and after further deductive reasoning, the hand giving her the lightsaber was Maz Kanata’s. Naturally, this sequence did not occur during the final cut of the film. But we do know that Leia arrived on Takodana, even though we didn’t see her converse or interact with the diminutive pirate queen.It is hard to imagine this sequence taking place in Episode IX, since the lightsaber was destroyed in The Last Jedi. But that doesn’t mean that a suitable replacement might not be out there (and used to replace Luke’s saber through digital means). Whether it’s Luke’s green lightsaber from Return of the Jedi (also glimpsed in flashback in The Last Jedi), some other talisman of consequence, or simply a conversation between the two characters, it seems reasonable to assume that we might see an exchange between Leia and Maz. They are both larger than life characters, so this would be a welcome sight.
Deleted Sequence from The Force Awakens
In a deleted scene featured on The Force Awakens Blu-ray, Leia receives information that Poe Dameron may be in grave danger, and that the village on Jakku was destroyed. She also alerts a member of the Resistance that they need to look for BB-8. And there’s this great bit of dialogue where she says never to underestimate a droid, but it’s Fisher doing that feisty, no-nonsense thing that we all love from Leia. Perhaps this dialogue could be repurposed for something Abrams has in mind for Episode IX? Either way, the footage of Carrie Fisher in this scene wearing the uniform seen on the Resistance base on D’Qar exists, so it makes sense that her wardrobe in Episode IX could match this.Korr Sella
Korr Sella was a close associate of Leia in the novel Bloodline, which takes place six years prior to the events of The Force Awakens, and remained loyal to Organa until her untimely demise on Hosnian Prime, thanks to the First Order and Starkiller Base. There was rumored to be a scene in a later draft of the script for The Force Awakens where the two friends discussed the current political climate in the galaxy. But since Korr Sella died in The Force Awakens, that conversation would likely have to be used as a flashback, assuming it was ever even shot. Or perhaps it could be modified to showcase the overwhelming power of the First Order after the events of The Last Jedi. If anything, Kylo Ren’s militant presence is even more formidable, so there would certainly be something worthwhile there.There is also a deleted scene on the Force Awakens Blu-ray where Leia sends Korr Sella to talk to the Senate and warn them about the First Order. It’s also possible that the footage of Korr could be removed and new dialogue with a different character could be inserted in her place so that Leia seems to be interacting with that person. And considering how bad things are for the Resistance at the end of The Last Jedi, a call for help definitely makes sense (even if the Senate got blown up in Force Awakens!).
Queen Leia and the Warhammer?
Before The Force Awakens debuted, there was a rumor floating around that Leia had the moniker of Queen bestowed upon her. How that would work is a bit of a mystery, since Alderaan is long gone, and creating an oligarchy went out of fashion with Palpatine (Snoke notwithstanding). However, she is royalty to us, so perhaps this was more metaphorical as far as her stature and place of prominence in the galaxy?In addition to this, there was also talk of a subplot where Leia was trying to create a Warhammer, as a kind of counter to Starkiller Base. However, this would seem entirely out of character for the general, even in drastic times, especially since her home planet was destroyed by a similar weapon. It is hard to imagine that she would have the stomach for this course of action. And these scenes were likely never shot… as far as we know.Difficult to see, the future is. One thing’s for certain, though: Regardless of what will be in the final product, we are going to get to see Carrie Fisher in Episode IX, and for many fans that is something to celebrate. Dan Z (@MrZehr) is an educator, Star Wars expert, writer, and podcaster, and is the host & co-creator of Coffee With Kenobi (@CoffeeWthKenobi).