Last Jedi director justifies THAT Princess Leia moment

Photo credit: Lucasfilm
Photo credit: Lucasfilm

From Digital Spy

While Star Wars: The Last Jedi was pretty amazing overall, it did have its bizarre moments – and we're not just talking that weird milking scene.

In one particular moment, the First Order shoots a Resistance ship and sends those on board flying into space, including General Leia (Carrie Fisher).

However, she manages to demonstrate her Force power by flying right back into the ship, before falling into a coma.

Photo credit: Charley Gallay / Getty Images
Photo credit: Charley Gallay / Getty Images

Director Rian Johnson has now justified the random scene, and hopes that the next movie will satisfy her character arc.

"The idea behind that moment was that – first of all, her use of Force in that moment is not incredibly powerful; she's in space which offers no resistance," he told the Empire podcast.

"So it actually doesn't take much to pull her back in – she is in zero gravity – but also [her use of the Force] is instinctual.

"That was the bigger thing for me – it's the equivalent of like when you hear stories about parents who have a toddler trapped under a car and they lift the car up, and they get Hulk strength.

Photo credit: Lucasfilm / Disney
Photo credit: Lucasfilm / Disney

"It's that idea 'this is not going to end today, I'm not finished yet' and that it's almost like a drowning person is clawing their way to the surface, the way she pulls her way back."

Following Fisher's death, Johnson also expressed confidence that her character will be handled well in the next movie, adding that killing Leia off in The Last Jedi was not an option.

"I know JJ [Abrams] is going to come up with a way to resolve her in the next movie," he said.

Photo credit: Disney
Photo credit: Disney

Johnson has been forced to defend his movie endlessly since it was released last month, though he has been a pretty good sport about the whole thing.

This week, he was among those involved who brilliantly slammed down a sexist creep who decided to cut out all the female-driven scenes from the movie.


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