This December will change things up for the Star Wars franchise, as it marks the first holiday season to pass without a new entry into the galaxy far, far away. Instead, the fandom will have to wait an entire calendar year for J.J. Abrams' currently untitled Episode IX to arrive in theaters, and conclude the Skywalker Saga forever. The pressure is on for Abrams to deliver, and the wait has already been excruciating for the hardcore fandom.
Luckily, it appears that Episode IX will deliver in a way that will hopefully make the two year gap between The Last Jedi and the threequel worth while. Carrie Fisher's daughter, actress Billie Lourd will play Lieutenant Connix for the third time in Episode IX, and recently expressed just how great the upcoming blockbuster will be. As she tells it,
I gotta watch myself because the Star Wars PD is going to come get me, but it is incredible. I've read the script and I've been on set. I was on set for, like, three weeks back in September, and it is going to be magical.
Well, this is certainly exciting. While Episode IX seems far from completed, Billie Lourd seems to be particularly impressed with the blockbuster's script. Considering her own experience within the galaxy (as well as Carrie Fisher's), this could be high praise for J.J. Abrams' next Star Wars installment.
Billie Lourd's comments come from her recent conversation with ET, where the rising actress discussed her various acting projects. While she's perhaps best known for her TV roles in Ryan Murphy projects American Horror Story and Scream Queens, Lourd has also been apart of the current Star Wars trilogy since The Force Awakens. While her character usually only has a bit part, it's one that has been rising during her time in the beloved space opera. Hopefully that'll continue with Episode IX-- especially since J.J Abrams created the character.
Lieutenant Connix has a quick one-liner in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, communicating some intel to General Leia during The Resistance's strike on Starkiller Base. Billie Lourd got more time to shine during The Last Jedi, helping to evacuate the base on D'Qar during its opening moments.
She also facilitate Rose and Finn's adventure to Canto Bight, and participated in Poe's mutiny against Holdo. Connix survives the final conflict in Crait, and watches in wonder as Rey saves the resistance and inspires them to continue on. Her role in Episode IX will likely be around the same size, but anything could happen with J.J. Abrams back in the director's chair.
Episode IX will likely be a very different experience for Billie Lourd than the previous two movies, as its the first main installment in the wake of Carrie Fisher's death. Lourd got to be on set with her mother for those projects, and now she (along with the generations of fans) are flying solo without Fisher.
Star Wars Episode IX will fly into theaters on December 20th, 2019. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your trips to the movies in the New Year.
