In a moment early on in The Last Jedi, 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. For some this was a fairly controversial scene, and writer/director Rian Johnson justifies the reasons behind it (in the latest Empire Film Podcast).
“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. 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.
