Princess Leia Organa is a fictional character and one of the main characters in the ''
Star Wars'' franchise, portrayed by
Carrie Fisher
Carrie Frances Fisher (October 21, 1956 – December 27, 2016) was an American actress and writer. She played Princess Leia in the ''Star Wars'' films (1977–1983). She reprised the role in'' Star Wars: The Force Awakens'' (2015), ''The Last ...
. Introduced in the
original ''Star Wars'' film in 1977, Leia is princess of the planet
Alderaan
Alderaan () is a fictional planet featured in the '' Star Wars'' franchise. It is blue-green in appearance, depicted as a terrestrial planet with humanoid inhabitants, and characterized by a peaceful culture. It is the home planet of Princess ...
, a member of the
Imperial Senate and an agent of the
Rebel Alliance
The Alliance to Restore the Republic (colloquial: Rebel Alliance; the Rebellion; the Alliance; or the Rebels) is a fictional stateless interstellar coalition of republican dissidents, imperial defectors, revolutionary factions and anti-imperi ...
. She thwarts the sinister
Sith Lord
Darth Vader
Darth Vader is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. The character is the central antagonist of the original trilogy and, as Anakin Skywalker, is one of the main protagonists in the prequel trilogy. ''Star Wars'' creator George ...
and helps bring about the destruction of the Empire's cataclysmic superweapon, the
Death Star
The Death Star is a fictional space station and superweapon featured in the '' Star Wars'' space-opera franchise. Constructed by the autocratic Galactic Empire, the Death Star is capable of annihilating entire planets into rubble, and serves t ...
. In ''
The Empire Strikes Back
''The Empire Strikes Back'' (also known as ''Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back'') is a 1980 American epic space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner from a screenplay by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, based on a stor ...
'' (1980), Leia commands a Rebel base and evades Vader as she falls in love with the smuggler
Han Solo
Han Solo is a fictional character in the '' Star Wars'' franchise created by George Lucas. The character first appeared in the 1977 film '' Star Wars'' portrayed by Harrison Ford, who reprised his role in ''The Empire Strikes Back'' (1980) an ...
. In ''
Return of the Jedi
''Return of the Jedi'' (also known as ''Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi'' is a 1983 American epic space opera film directed by Richard Marquand. The screenplay is by Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas from a story by Lucas, who ...
'' (1983), Leia helps in the operation to rescue Han from the
crime lord
A crime boss, also known as a crime lord, Don, gang lord, gang boss, mob boss, kingpin, godfather, crime mentor or criminal mastermind, is a person in charge of a criminal organization.
Description
A crime boss typically has absolute or nearl ...
Jabba the Hutt
Jabba Desilijic Tiure, more commonly known as Jabba the Hutt, is a fictional character and minor antagonist in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. Created by George Lucas, Jabba is voiced by Larry Ward with several puppeteers inside a one-ton puppet po ...
and is revealed to be Vader's daughter and the twin sister of
Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker is a fictional character and the protagonist of the original film trilogy of the ''Star Wars'' franchise created by George Lucas. Portrayed by Mark Hamill, Luke first appeared in ''Star Wars'' (1977), and he returned in ''The E ...
.
The
prequel film ''
Revenge of the Sith
Revenge is committing a harmful action against a person or group in response to a grievance, be it real or perceived. Francis Bacon described revenge as a kind of "wild justice" that "does... offend the law ndputteth the law out of office." Pr ...
'' (2005) establishes that the twins' mother is Senator (and former queen)
Padmé Amidala
Padmé Amidala Naberrie is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise, appearing in the prequel trilogy portrayed by Natalie Portman. First indirectly mentioned in '' Return of the Jedi'', she is introduced in ''The Phantom Menace'' a ...
of
Naboo
Naboo is a fictional planet in the '' Star Wars'' universe. A bountiful world with a mostly green terrain, the planet was the homeworld of two independent societies: the native Gungans, who dwelt in underwater cities, and the human Naboo, who l ...
, who dies after childbirth, while their father is
Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, who falls to the
dark side of the Force
The Force is a metaphysical and ubiquitous power in the '' Star Wars'' fictional universe. "Force-sensitive" characters use the Force throughout the franchise. Heroes like the Jedi seek to "become one with the Force", matching their personal wi ...
and becomes the
Sith lord Darth Vader. Leia is adopted by Senator
Bail
Bail is a set of pre-trial restrictions that are imposed on a suspect to ensure that they will not hamper the judicial process. Bail is the conditional release of a defendant with the promise to appear in court when required.
In some countrie ...
and Queen
Breha Organa
This incomplete list of characters from the '' Star Wars'' franchise contains only those which are considered part of the official ''Star Wars'' canon, as of the changes made by Lucasfilm in April 2014. Following its acquisition by The Walt D ...
of Alderaan. In the
sequel trilogy
The ''Star Wars'' sequel trilogy is the third trilogy of the main ''Star Wars'' franchise, an American space opera created by George Lucas. It is produced by Lucasfilm Ltd. and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The trilogy ...
, Leia is a founder and General of the
Resistance against the
First Order. She and Han have a son named Ben Solo, who adopted the name
Kylo Ren
Kylo Ren is a fictional character in the '' Star Wars'' franchise. He first appeared as the main antagonist of ''The Force Awakens (2015)'', in which he is portrayed by Adam Driver. Driver reprised his role in the sequel films '' Star Wars: T ...
after turning to the dark side of
the Force
The Force is a metaphysical and ubiquitous power in the '' Star Wars'' fictional universe. "Force-sensitive" characters use the Force throughout the franchise. Heroes like the Jedi seek to "become one with the Force", matching their personal wil ...
and became a warlord of the First Order. In ''
The Rise of Skywalker
''Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker'' (also known as ''Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker'') is a 2019 American epic space opera film produced, , and directed by J. J. Abrams. Produced by Lucasfilm and Abrams' productio ...
'' (2019), it is revealed that Leia was briefly trained as a Jedi by her brother sometime after ''Return of the Jedi''. In the film, Leia is the mentor of
Rey, the last remaining Jedi. Leia dies towards the end of the film but returns in the epilogue scene as a Force ghost alongside Luke.
One of the more popular ''Star Wars'' characters, Leia has been called a 1980s
icon
An icon () is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, in the cultures of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Catholic churches. They are not simply artworks; "an icon is a sacred image used in religious devotion". The most ...
, a
feminist hero and model for other adventure heroines. She has appeared in many derivative works and merchandising, including the now-noncanonical
''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe, and has been referenced or
parodied in several TV shows and films. Her '
cinnamon bun' hairstyle from ''Star Wars'' (1977) and
metal bikini
A metal (from Greek μέταλλον ''métallon'', "mine, quarry, metal") is a material that, when freshly prepared, polished, or fractured, shows a lustrous appearance, and conducts electricity and heat relatively well. Metals are typicall ...
from ''Return of the Jedi'' have become cultural icons. Fisher was nominated for the
Saturn Award for Best Actress twice for ''A New Hope'' and ''Return of the Jedi''. Fisher later received two
Saturn Award nominations for
Best Supporting Actress, the first for ''
The Force Awakens
''Star Wars: The Force Awakens'' (also known as ''Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens'') is a 2015 American epic space opera film produced, co-written, and directed by J. J. Abrams. The sequel to '' Return of the Jedi'' (198 ...
'' and the second being a posthumous nomination for ''
The Last Jedi
''Star Wars: The Last Jedi'' (also known as ''Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi'') is a 2017 American epic space opera film written and directed by Rian Johnson. Produced by Lucasfilm and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pict ...
''.
Creation and casting
Leia was created by ''Star Wars'' creator
George Lucas, who in 1999 explained his early development of the main characters:
In the rough draft of ''
Star Wars'', Leia is the spoiled teenage daughter of King Kayos and Queen Breha of Aquilae, with two brothers,
Biggs and Windy; Biggs returned to the fourth draft as a childhood friend of Luke. Leia was at one point "the daughter of
Owen Lars and his wife
Beru ... Luke's cousin–together they visit the grave of his mother, who perished with his father on a planet destroyed by the
Death Star
The Death Star is a fictional space station and superweapon featured in the '' Star Wars'' space-opera franchise. Constructed by the autocratic Galactic Empire, the Death Star is capable of annihilating entire planets into rubble, and serves t ...
." A later story synopsis establishes Leia as "Leia Antilles", the daughter of
Bail Antilles
This is an incomplete list of characters from the ''Star Wars'' expanded universe, now rebranded ''Star Wars Legends''. The accompanying works were declared non-canon to the ''Star Wars'' franchise by Lucasfilm in 2014.
This list applies ''o ...
from the peaceful world of Organa Major. In the fourth draft it was established that "Leia Organa" came instead from Alderaan.
Fisher was 19 when she was cast as Princess Leia,
with actresses including
Amy Irving,
Cindy Williams
Cynthia Jane Williams (born August 22, 1947) is an American actress and producer, known for her role as Shirley Feeney on the television sitcom ''Happy Days'' (1975–1979), and ''Laverne & Shirley'' (1976–1982).
Early life
Williams was bo ...
and
Jodie Foster
Alicia Christian "Jodie" Foster (born November 19, 1962) is an American actress and filmmaker. She is the recipient of numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, three British Academy Film Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and the hono ...
also up for the role. In 2014, InkTank reported that the extended list of "more than two dozen actresses" who had auditioned for Leia included
Glenn Close
Glenn Close (born March 19, 1947) is an American actress. Throughout her career spanning over four decades, Close has garnered numerous accolades, including two Screen Actors Guild Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards ...
,
Farrah Fawcett,
Jessica Lange
Jessica Phyllis Lange (; born April 20, 1949) is an American actress. She is the 13th actress to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting, having won two Academy Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award, along with a Screen Actors ...
,
Sissy Spacek
Mary Elizabeth Spacek (; born December 25, 1949) is an American actress and singer. She is the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and nominations for four Britis ...
,
Sigourney Weaver
Susan Alexandra "Sigourney" Weaver (; born October 8, 1949) is an American actress. A figure in science fiction and popular culture, she has received various accolades, including a British Academy Film Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Gramm ...
,
Cybill Shepherd
Cybill Lynne Shepherd (born February 18, 1950) is an American actress and former model. Her film debut and breakthrough role came as Jacy Farrow in Peter Bogdanovich's coming-of-age drama ''The Last Picture Show'' (1971) alongside Jeff Bridges. ...
,
Jane Seymour
Jane Seymour (c. 150824 October 1537) was Queen of England as the third wife of King Henry VIII of England from their marriage on 30 May 1536 until her death the next year. She became queen following the execution of Henry's second wife, Anne ...
,
Anjelica Huston,
Kim Basinger
Kimila Ann Basinger ( ; born December 8, 1953) is an American actress and former fashion model. She has garnered acclaim for her work in film and television, for which she has received various accolades including an Academy Award, a Golden Glo ...
,
Kathleen Turner,
Geena Davis
Virginia Elizabeth "Geena" Davis (born January 21, 1956) is an American actor ,
Meryl Streep
Mary Louise Meryl Streep (born June 22, 1949) is an American actress. Often described as "the best actress of her generation", Streep is particularly known for her versatility and accent adaptability. She has received numerous accolades throu ...
, and
Terri Nunn
Terri is an alternative spelling of Terry. It is a common feminine given name and is also a diminutive for Teresa.
Notable people with the name include:
*Terri Allard (born 1962), American country/folk singer/songwriter
* Terri S. Armstrong, Ame ...
. Asked about Streep in 2015, Fisher said, "I've never heard that one. But Jodie Foster was up for it... that one I knew the most. Amy Irving and Jodie. And I got it."
![Edward S](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/Edward_S._Curtis_Collection_People_043.jpg)
On Leia's '
cinnamon bun' hairstyle, George Lucas stated that "In the 1977 film, I was working very hard to create something different that wasn't fashion, so I went with a kind of Southwestern
Pancho Villa
Francisco "Pancho" Villa (, Orozco rebelled in March 1912, both for Madero's continuing failure to enact land reform and because he felt insufficiently rewarded for his role in bringing the new president to power. At the request of Madero's c ...
woman revolutionary look. ... The buns are basically from turn-of-the-century Mexico." Lucas later noted that Leia's mother,
Padmé Amidala
Padmé Amidala Naberrie is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise, appearing in the prequel trilogy portrayed by Natalie Portman. First indirectly mentioned in '' Return of the Jedi'', she is introduced in ''The Phantom Menace'' a ...
, wears a similar-looking
Hopi hairstyle in ''
Revenge of the Sith
Revenge is committing a harmful action against a person or group in response to a grievance, be it real or perceived. Francis Bacon described revenge as a kind of "wild justice" that "does... offend the law ndputteth the law out of office." Pr ...
''. A photo depicting famous Mexican revolutionary
Clara de la Rocha wearing a similar hairstyle exists in the
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is a museum founded by filmmaker George Lucas and his wife, businesswoman Mellody Hobson. Once completed, the museum will hold all forms of visual storytelling, including painting, photography, sculpture, illust ...
archives.
In 2015, ''
Mental Floss
''Mental Floss'' (stylized as ''mental_floss'') is an online magazine and its related American digital, print, and e-commerce media company focused on millennials. It is owned by Minute Media and based in New York City, United States. mentalfloss ...
'' cited research suggesting that while female Mexican revolutionaries did not have such elaborate hairstyles, young marriageable Hopi women did, and their "squash blossom whorls" superficially resemble Leia's hair buns.
Leia's hairstyle may have also been inspired by that of Queen Fria in the 1939 ''
Flash Gordon''
comic strip "The Ice Kingdom of Mongo", and scientist
Barnes Wallis' wife Molly (played by
Ursula Jeans
Ursula Jean McMinn (5 May 1906 – 21 April 1973), better known as Ursula Jeans, was an English film, stage, and television actress.
Biography
Jeans was born in Simla, British India, to English parents, and brought up and educated in London. S ...
) in the 1955 war film ''
The Dam Busters''.
Comparisons have also been made to the 4th-century-BC
Iberian sculpture
Iberian sculpture, a subset of Iberian art, describes the various sculptural styles developed by the Iberians from the Bronze Age up to the Roman conquest. For this reason it is sometimes described as Pre-Roman Iberian sculpture.
Almost all ex ...
''
Lady of Elche
The ''Lady of Elche'' (in Spanish, ''Dama de Elche'' in Valencian, ''Dama d'Elx'') is a limestone bust that was discovered in 1897, at ''La Alcudia'', an archaeological site on a private estate two kilometers south of Elche, Spain. It is curren ...
'',
as well as the 1920s "earphones" hairstyle.
Composer
John Williams created a musical
leitmotif for Leia which recurs throughout the ''Star Wars'' saga. "Princess Leia's Theme" was recorded as a concert suite (4:18 length) for the
score of the 1977 film.
In his early story development for ''
The Empire Strikes Back
''The Empire Strikes Back'' (also known as ''Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back'') is a 1980 American epic space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner from a screenplay by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, based on a stor ...
'', Lucas intended for Luke to have a twin sister—not Leia—who would be the focus of another episode. Following the production of ''Empire'', Lucas was burnt out and decided not to make his planned
sequel trilogy
The ''Star Wars'' sequel trilogy is the third trilogy of the main ''Star Wars'' franchise, an American space opera created by George Lucas. It is produced by Lucasfilm Ltd. and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The trilogy ...
. Needing to explain the identity of the other potential Jedi mentioned by
Yoda
Yoda () is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' universe, first appearing in the 1980 film ''The Empire Strikes Back''. He is a small, green humanoid alien who is powerful with the Force and is a leading member of the Jedi Order until it ...
, Lucas decided that Leia would be revealed as Luke's twin.
In the second draft of the ''Return of the Jedi'' screenplay, Obi-Wan tells Luke he has a twin sister. She and their mother were "sent to the protection of friends in a distant system. The mother died shortly thereafter, and Luke's sister was adopted by Ben's friends, the governor of Alderaan and his wife." Fisher explained in 1983: "Leia's real father left her mother when she was pregnant, so her mother married this King Organa. I was adopted and grew up set apart from other people because I was a princess."
Character
Anthony Breznican of ''
Entertainment Weekly
''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cu ...
'' describes Leia as a "diplomat, spy, warrior, undercover agent".
Mark Edlitz calls her "a smart, feisty, brave diplomat and warrior" in ''
The Huffington Post
''HuffPost'' (formerly ''The Huffington Post'' until 2017 and sometimes abbreviated ''HuffPo'') is an American progressive news website, with localized and international editions. The site offers news, satire, blogs, and original content, and ...
''.
Fisher told ''
Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its ...
'' in 1983:
She said in 2014:
Appearances
Skywalker saga
Original trilogy
=''Star Wars (A New Hope)''
=
Introduced in the original 1977 film ''
Star Wars'', Princess Leia Organa of
Alderaan
Alderaan () is a fictional planet featured in the '' Star Wars'' franchise. It is blue-green in appearance, depicted as a terrestrial planet with humanoid inhabitants, and characterized by a peaceful culture. It is the home planet of Princess ...
is a member of the
Imperial Senate. She is captured by
Darth Vader
Darth Vader is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. The character is the central antagonist of the original trilogy and, as Anakin Skywalker, is one of the main protagonists in the prequel trilogy. ''Star Wars'' creator George ...
(portrayed by
David Prowse
David Charles Prowse (1 July 1935 – 28 November 2020) was an English actor, bodybuilder and weightlifter. He portrayed Darth Vader (voiced by American actor James Earl Jones) in the original ''Star Wars'' trilogy and a manservant in Stanle ...
, voiced by
James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones (born January 17, 1931) is an American actor. He has been described as "one of America's most distinguished and versatile" actors for his performances in film, television, and theater, and "one of the greatest actors in America ...
) on board the ship ''
Tantive IV'', where she is acting as a spy for the
Rebel Alliance
The Alliance to Restore the Republic (colloquial: Rebel Alliance; the Rebellion; the Alliance; or the Rebels) is a fictional stateless interstellar coalition of republican dissidents, imperial defectors, revolutionary factions and anti-imperi ...
. Leia has secretly hidden the blueprints for the
Death Star
The Death Star is a fictional space station and superweapon featured in the '' Star Wars'' space-opera franchise. Constructed by the autocratic Galactic Empire, the Death Star is capable of annihilating entire planets into rubble, and serves t ...
, the Empire's moon-sized battle station, inside the
astromech droid
In the ''Star Wars'' space opera franchise, a droid is a fictional robot possessing some degree of artificial intelligence''.'' The term is a clipped form of " android", a word originally reserved for robots designed to look and act like a huma ...
R2-D2
R2-D2 () or Artoo-Detoo is a fictional robot character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise created by George Lucas. He has appeared in ten of the eleven theatrical ''Star Wars'' films to date. At various points throughout the course of the films, R2, ...
(
Kenny Baker) and has sent it to find one of the last remaining
Jedi
Jedi (), Jedi Knights, or collectively the Jedi Order are the main heroic protagonists of many works of the '' Star Wars'' franchise. Working symbiotically alongside the Old Galactic Republic, and later supporting the Rebel Alliance, the Jedi ...
,
Obi-Wan Kenobi (
Alec Guinness), on the nearby planet of
Tatooine
Tatooine () is a fictional desert planet that appears in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. It is a beige-colored, desolate world orbiting a pair of binary stars, and inhabited by human settlers and a variety of other life forms. The planet was first ...
. Vader arrests Leia and has her tortured, but she resists revealing anything. Death Star commander
Grand Moff Tarkin
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin is a fictional character in the '' Star Wars'' franchise, introduced as the main antagonist of the original 1977 ''Star Wars'' film (played by Peter Cushing). In the film, Tarkin is depicted as a high-ranking officer ...
(
Peter Cushing
Peter Wilton Cushing (26 May 1913 – 11 August 1994) was an English actor. His acting career spanned over six decades and included appearances in more than 100 films, as well as many television, stage, and radio roles. He achieved recognition ...
) threatens to destroy her home planet Alderaan with the Death Star unless she reveals the location of the hidden Rebel base. She provides the location of an old, abandoned base on the planet Dantooine, but Tarkin orders Alderaan to be destroyed anyway. Leia is rescued by
Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker is a fictional character and the protagonist of the original film trilogy of the ''Star Wars'' franchise created by George Lucas. Portrayed by Mark Hamill, Luke first appeared in ''Star Wars'' (1977), and he returned in ''The E ...
(
Mark Hamill) and
Han Solo
Han Solo is a fictional character in the '' Star Wars'' franchise created by George Lucas. The character first appeared in the 1977 film '' Star Wars'' portrayed by Harrison Ford, who reprised his role in ''The Empire Strikes Back'' (1980) an ...
(
Harrison Ford), and they escape aboard Han's ship, the ''
Millennium Falcon
The ''Millennium Falcon'' is a fictional starship in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. Designed by Joe Johnston for the movie ''Star Wars'' (1977), it has subsequently appeared in ''The Star Wars Holiday Special'' (1978), ''The Empire Strikes Back' ...
''. After analyzing the Death Star's schematics, the Rebels find a tiny weakness in the battle station, which Luke uses to destroy it in his
X-wing
The X-wing starfighter is a name applied to a family of fictional spacecraft manufactured by the Incom Corporation from the ''Star Wars'' franchise. Named for the distinctive shape made when its s-foils (wings) are in attack position, the X-win ...
. In the aftermath of the victory, Leia bestows medals on the heroes at the hidden Rebel base on
Yavin 4
Yavin (also known as "Yavin Prime", to distinguish it from its moons) is a fictional planet in the '' Star Wars'' galaxy. It first appeared in the 1977 film '' Star Wars'' and is depicted as a large red gas giant with an extensive satellite sys ...
.
Alyssa Rosenberg of ''
The Washington Post
''The Washington Post'' (also known as the ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'') is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C. It is the most widely circulated newspaper within the Washington metropolitan area and has a large nati ...
'' writes of Leia in the film:
Rosenberg also notes that, though Han is almost immediately attracted to Leia, they conflict because she insists on asserting command and he automatically resists, even as she proves herself to be worthy of it.
And despite her initial disdain for the smuggler, whom she sees as selfish, Leia later acknowledges "I knew there was more to you than money" when Han comes through for the Rebellion.
Fisher told ''Rolling Stone'' in 1980 that in the original script, when Luke and Han come to rescue a captured Leia, "I was hanging upside down with yellow eyes, like in ''
The Exorcist
''The Exorcist'' is a 1973 American supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin and written for the screen by William Peter Blatty, based on his 1971 novel of the same name. It stars Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Lee J. Cobb, Kitty ...
'' ... Some form of radar torture was done to me and I was in a beam, bruised and beaten up, suspended in midair. The reason it was cut from the film was because I was unconscious and the
Wookiee
Wookiees () are fictional humanoid aliens in the ''Star Wars'' universe, native to the forest planet Kashyyyk. They are distinguished from humans by their gigantism, hirsutism, and physical strength. The most prominent Wookiee is Chewbacca, c ...
would have had to carry me for, like, the next fifteen minutes."
=''The Empire Strikes Back''
=
In ''
The Empire Strikes Back
''The Empire Strikes Back'' (also known as ''Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back'') is a 1980 American epic space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner from a screenplay by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, based on a stor ...
'' (1980), Leia is at the Rebel base on
Hoth
Hoth is an ice planet in the '' Star Wars'' fictional universe. It first appeared in the 1980 film '' The Empire Strikes Back'' and has also been a setting in ''Star Wars'' books and video games.
Description
Hoth is the sixth planet of a remote ...
. She leads its evacuation during an Imperial attack, and then flees with Han,
Chewbacca (
Peter Mayhew
Peter William Mayhew (19 May 1944 – 30 April 2019) was a British-American actor. He was best known for portraying Chewbacca in the ''Star Wars'' film series. He played the character in all of his live-action appearances from the 1977 origin ...
) and
C-3PO
C-3PO () or See-Threepio is a humanoid robot character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise who appears in the original trilogy, the prequel trilogy and the sequel trilogy. Built by Anakin Skywalker, was designed as a protocol droid intended to assis ...
(
Anthony Daniels
Anthony Daniels ( ; born 21 February 1946) is an English actor and mime artist, best known for playing in 10 '' Star Wars'' films. He is the only actor to have either appeared in or been involved with all theatrical films in the series, and ...
) on the ''Millennium Falcon''. They dodge pursuing Imperial
TIE fighters by flying into an asteroid field when the ''Falcon'' hyperdrive breaks down, with Leia piloting the ship at one point. Romance blossoms between Leia and Han during their flight from the Empire; while hiding in the stomach of a space slug, they finally share a kiss. With his ship needing repairs, Han seeks out his old friend
Lando Calrissian
Landonis Balthazar "Lando" Calrissian III is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. He was introduced in ''The Empire Strikes Back'' (1980) as an old friend of Han Solo and the administrator of the floating Cloud City on the gas p ...
(
Billy Dee Williams
William December Williams Jr. (born April 6, 1937) is an American actor. He appeared as Lando Calrissian in the '' Star Wars'' franchise, first in the early 1980s for ''The Empire Strikes Back'' (1980) and ''Return of the Jedi'' (1983), and thir ...
) in
Cloud City, the
floating city over
Bespin. Though he welcomes them graciously, Lando soon turns them over to a newly arrived Darth Vader, who hopes to use them as bait to capture Luke. Leia confesses her love for Han as he is frozen in
carbonite and then handed over to bounty hunter
Boba Fett
Boba Fett ( ) is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. First appearing in the ''Star Wars Holiday Special'' (1978), where he was voiced by Don Francks, he is an armored bounty hunter featured in both the original and prequel fi ...
(portrayed by
Jeremy Bulloch
Jeremy Andrew Bulloch (16 February 1945 – 17 December 2020) was an English actor. In a career that spanned six decades, he gained recognition for originating the physical portrayal of Boba Fett in the ''Star Wars'' franchise, appearing as th ...
, voiced by
Jason Wingreen
Jason Wingreen (October 9, 1920 – December 25, 2015) was an American actor. He portrayed bartender Harry Snowden on the CBS sitcom ''All in the Family'' (1977–1979), a role he reprised on the continuation series ''Archie Bunker's Place'' ( ...
), who is charged with bringing him to the crime lord
Jabba the Hutt
Jabba Desilijic Tiure, more commonly known as Jabba the Hutt, is a fictional character and minor antagonist in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. Created by George Lucas, Jabba is voiced by Larry Ward with several puppeteers inside a one-ton puppet po ...
. Lando helps Leia, Chewbacca and the two droids escape. Leia senses that Luke is in trouble, and goes back to save him after he is nearly killed during a
lightsaber
A lightsaber is a fictional energy sword featured throughout the '' Star Wars'' franchise. A typical lightsaber is depicted as a luminescent plasma blade about in length emitted from a metal hilt around in length. First introduced in the o ...
duel and confrontation with Vader.
Rosenberg notes:
=''Return of the Jedi''
=
In ''
Return of the Jedi
''Return of the Jedi'' (also known as ''Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi'' is a 1983 American epic space opera film directed by Richard Marquand. The screenplay is by Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas from a story by Lucas, who ...
'' (1983), Leia infiltrates Jabba the Hutt's palace on Tatooine disguised as the
Ubese bounty hunter Boushh and brings a captive Chewbacca with her as part of the ruse. She frees Han from the carbonite, but they are recaptured by Jabba. Leia is now chained to Jabba as his slave, outfitted in a
metal bikini
A metal (from Greek μέταλλον ''métallon'', "mine, quarry, metal") is a material that, when freshly prepared, polished, or fractured, shows a lustrous appearance, and conducts electricity and heat relatively well. Metals are typicall ...
. After Luke arrives and kills Jabba's
rancor
This is a list of creatures in the fictional universe of '' Star Wars'', a space opera media franchise. The types of creatures in this list are listed by category and then in alphabetical order.
Humans and humanoid sentient species
Humans
Huma ...
, Jabba sentences Luke, Han and Chewbacca to be fed to the
sarlacc
The sarlacc (plural sarlacci) is a fictional creature in George Lucas's sci-fi action saga ''Star Wars''. It first appeared in the film ''Return of the Jedi'' (1983) as a multi-tentacled alien beast whose immense, gaping maw is lined with sever ...
. Lando (disguised as a guard) helps them overpower their captors, and Leia seizes the moment to strangle Jabba with her chain. Luke and Leia swing to safety, blowing up Jabba's barge behind them. Later, the heroes go to the forest moon of
Endor Endor or Ein Dor may refer to:
Places
* Endor (village), from the Hebrew Bible, a Canaanite village where the Witch of Endor lived
* Indur, a Palestinian village depopulated during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war
* Ein Dor, a Kibbutz in modern Israel
F ...
to prepare for a battle with the Empire. There, Luke reveals to Leia that she is his twin sister and that Vader is their father. Leia joins Han in leading the Rebels in battle with Imperial troops as the Rebel fleet attacks the second Death Star. Leia is slightly injured, but the Rebels, with help from the
Ewoks
The Ewoks (singular: Ewok) are a fictional species of small, furry, mammaloid, bipeds in the ''Star Wars'' universe. They inhabit the forest moon of Endor and live in arboreal huts and other simple dwellings, being seen as primitive in compa ...
, ultimately defeat the forces of the Empire, with the Death Star destroyed once more.
Fisher told ''
Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its ...
'' in 1983, "In ''Return of the Jedi'',
eia Eia or EIA may refer to:
Medicine
* Enzyme immunoassay
* Equine infectious anemia
* Exercise-induced anaphylaxis
* Exercise-induced asthma
* External iliac artery
Transport
* Edmonton International Airport, in Alberta, Canada
* Erbil Internation ...
gets to be more feminine, more supportive, more affectionate. But let's not forget that these movies are basically boys' fantasies. So the other way they made her more female in this one was to have her take off her clothes."
Rosenberg writes of Han and Leia:
In the film, Leia says that she has vague memories of her real mother, who she describes as "kind... but sad". Bouzereau quoted Lucas in 1997:
Prequel trilogy
=''Revenge of the Sith''
=
In the
prequel film ''Revenge of the Sith'' (2005), Padmé Amidala (
Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman (born Natalie Hershlag, he, נטע-לי הרשלג, ) is an Israeli-born American actress. She has had a prolific film career since her teenage years and has starred in various blockbusters and independent films, receiving mu ...
) is pregnant with
Anakin Skywalker's (
Hayden Christensen
Hayden Christensen (; born April 19, 1981) is a Canadian actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader in the ''Star Wars'' media franchise. He first appeared in the prequel trilogy films, '' Star Wars: Episode ...
) twins near the end of the
Clone Wars Clone Wars may refer to:
Star Wars Film and television
* ''Star Wars: Clone Wars'' (2003 TV series), an American animated television series set in the ''Star Wars'' galaxy
* ''Star Wars: The Clone Wars'' (2008 TV series), an American 3D CGI anim ...
. After Anakin turns to the dark side of the Force and becomes Darth Vader, Padmé gives birth to Luke and Leia on Polis Massa and then dies. Leia is adopted by Senator
Bail Organa
This incomplete list of characters from the '' Star Wars'' franchise contains only those which are considered part of the official ''Star Wars'' canon, as of the changes made by Lucasfilm in April 2014. Following its acquisition by The Walt D ...
(
Jimmy Smits
Jimmy L. Smits (born July 9, 1955) is an American actor. He is best known for playing attorney Victor Sifuentes on the 1980s-1990s legal drama '' L.A. Law'', NYPD Detective Bobby Simone on the 1990s-2000s police drama ''NYPD Blue'', Matt Santos ...
) and his wife, Queen Breha (
Rebecca Jackson Mendoza), of Alderaan.
Film critic
Peter Travers
Peter Joseph Travers (born ) is an American film critic, journalist, and television presenter. He reviews films for ABC News and previously served as a movie critic for ''People'' and ''Rolling Stone''. Travers also hosts the film interview prog ...
of ''Rolling Stone'' wrote, "As we watch Anakin nearly melt in the lava, only to be put together,
Frankenstein
''Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus'' is an 1818 novel written by English author Mary Shelley. ''Frankenstein'' tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a sapient creature in an unorthodox scientific ...
style, in a lab, while Lucas intercuts scenes of Padme giving birth to the twins Luke and Leia, a link to genuine feeling is established at last."
Sequel trilogy
=''The Force Awakens''
=
![Carrie Fisher 2013-a straightened](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/Carrie_Fisher_2013-a_straightened.jpg)
In March 2013, Fisher confirmed that she would reprise her role as an older Leia in ''
Star Wars: The Force Awakens''. Set 30 years after ''Return of the Jedi'', ''The Force Awakens'' reintroduces a Leia who is "a little more battle weary, a little more broken hearted".
In November 2015, director
J. J. Abrams said of Leia, "She's referred to as General, but ... there's a moment in the movie where a character sort of slips and calls her 'Princess.'"
Commenting on the story he added, "The stakes are pretty high in the story for her, so there's not much goofing around where Leia's concerned."
Asked how Leia is handling things in the film, Fisher said, "Not easily ...
he is
He or HE may refer to:
Language
* He (pronoun), an English pronoun
* He (kana), the romanization of the Japanese kana へ
* He (letter), the fifth letter of many Semitic alphabets
* He (Cyrillic), a letter of the Cyrillic script called ''He'' ...
solitary. Under a lot of pressure. Committed as ever to her cause, but I would imagine feeling somewhat defeated, tired, and pissed."
In the film, Leia is the leader of the Resistance, a group formed by the New Republic to fight a proxy war with the
First Order (a group formed by the remnants of the Empire) and trying to find Luke, who disappeared years earlier. When her forces foil a First Order attack searching for the Resistance
astromech droid
In the ''Star Wars'' space opera franchise, a droid is a fictional robot possessing some degree of artificial intelligence''.'' The term is a clipped form of " android", a word originally reserved for robots designed to look and act like a huma ...
BB-8
BB-8 (or Beebee-Ate) is a droid character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. He appeared in the three films of the sequel trilogy, '' Star Wars: The Force Awakens'' (2015), '' Star Wars: The Last Jedi'' (2017), and '' Star Wars: The Rise of Skywa ...
, Leia is reunited with Han, who has helped the renegade
stormtrooper Finn (
John Boyega
John Adedayo Bamidele Adegboyega (born 17 March 1992), known professionally as John Boyega, is a British actor and producer. He first rose to prominence in his native Britain for his role as Moses in the sci-fi comedy film ''Attack the Block' ...
) and orphaned scavenger
Rey (
Daisy Ridley
Daisy Jazz Isobel Ridley (born 10 April 1992) is an English actress. She rose to prominence for her role as Rey in the ''Star Wars'' sequel trilogy: ''The Force Awakens'' (2015), ''The Last Jedi'' (2017), and ''The Rise of Skywalker'' (2019) ...
) bring the droid this far. Han and Leia are still married but have been estranged for a couple of years; after their son, Ben Solo (
Adam Driver
Adam Douglas Driver (born November 19, 1983) is an American actor. He is the recipient of various accolades, including nominations for two Academy Awards, four Primetime Emmy Awards and a Tony Award; making him one of few performers nominated ...
), fell to the dark side and became the First Order warlord
Kylo Ren
Kylo Ren is a fictional character in the '' Star Wars'' franchise. He first appeared as the main antagonist of ''The Force Awakens (2015)'', in which he is portrayed by Adam Driver. Driver reprised his role in the sequel films '' Star Wars: T ...
. Leia believes Ben can still be brought back to the light side. Han volunteers for a mission to infiltrate the First Order's
Starkiller Base to disable its defensive shields. Confronting Ren, Han tries to convince his son to leave the First Order to honor Leia's request of bringing him home, but Ren instead impales his father on his
lightsaber
A lightsaber is a fictional energy sword featured throughout the '' Star Wars'' franchise. A typical lightsaber is depicted as a luminescent plasma blade about in length emitted from a metal hilt around in length. First introduced in the o ...
.
Leia senses Han's death through
the Force
The Force is a metaphysical and ubiquitous power in the '' Star Wars'' fictional universe. "Force-sensitive" characters use the Force throughout the franchise. Heroes like the Jedi seek to "become one with the Force", matching their personal wil ...
, and later shares a moment of grief with Rey, who had thought of Han as a mentor and father figure. Leia sees Rey, Chewbacca, and R2-D2 off when they depart to locate Luke, saying, "may the Force be with you".
Asked why Leia is not shown to be a Jedi in ''The Force Awakens'' (as she is in the
''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe works), Abrams told
IGN
''IGN'' (formerly ''Imagine Games Network'') is an American video game and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa distri ...
, "It was a great question, and one that we talked about quite a bit, even with Carrie
isher Why did she not take advantage of this natural Force strength that this character had. And one of the answers was that it was simply a choice that she made, that her decision to run the Rebellion, and ultimately this Resistance, and consider herself a General, as opposed to a Jedi. It was simply a choice that she took". He also added, "I would like to think that there really isn't much of a ticking clock, and it's never too late ... clearly we've seen, and we do again, that she still is Force strong. And it's something that I think is an intrinsic piece of her character.
Fisher was nominated for a
2016 Saturn Award for
Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal.
=''The Last Jedi''
=
In December 2015, producer
Kathleen Kennedy confirmed that Fisher would reprise the role of Leia in the next installment, then known as ''Star Wars: Episode VIII'', but later named ''
Star Wars: The Last Jedi''. Fisher died on December 27, 2016, after going into cardiac arrest. It was confirmed that she had completed filming her role in the film shortly before her death.
In the film, Leia is among those on the bridge of her flagship, the MC85 Star Cruiser ''Raddus'', who are expelled into space when the ship is attacked by the First Order. Leia uses the Force to pull herself back to the ship. After recovering, she shoots and stuns Resistance pilot
Poe Dameron
Poe Dameron is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. Introduced in the 2015 film '' Star Wars: The Force Awakens'', he is portrayed by Oscar Isaac. Poe is an X-wing fighter pilot for the Resistance who inadvertently brings renega ...
(
Oscar Isaac
Óscar Isaac Hernández Estrada (born March 9, 1979) is a Guatemalan-born American actor. Known for his versatility, he has been credited with breaking stereotypes about Latino characters in Hollywood. He was named the best actor of his gene ...
), who has mutinied against her successor,
Vice Admiral Holdo (
Laura Dern
Laura Elizabeth Dern (born February 10, 1967) is an American actress. She is the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a BAFTA Award, and five Golden Globe Awards.
Born to actor Bruce Dern and a ...
). From his solitude on
Ahch-To
The fictional universe of the '' Star Wars'' franchise features multiple planets and moons. While only the feature films and selected other works are considered canon to the franchise since the 2012 acquisition of Lucasfilm by The Walt Dis ...
, Luke projects himself through the Force to the Resistance stronghold on
Crait
The fictional universe of the ''Star Wars'' franchise features multiple planets and moons. While only the feature films and selected other works are considered canon to the franchise since the 2012 acquisition of Lucasfilm by The Walt Disney ...
and reunites with Leia, apologizing for what happened to Ben. Leia replies that she knows her son is gone, but Luke reassures her that "no one's ever really gone". While Luke distracts Kylo and his attacking First Order troops, Leia is among the remaining Resistance forces who escape from Crait in the ''Millennium Falcon''.
=''The Rise of Skywalker''
=
Following Fisher's death, ''
Variety
Variety may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats
* Variety (radio)
* Variety show, in theater and television
Films
* ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont
* ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...
'' reported that she was slated to appear in ''
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker'' and speculated that Lucasfilm would need to find a way to address her death and what would become of her character. Filming began on August 1, 2018. Lucasfilm announced in January 2017 that they had "no plans to digitally recreate Carrie Fisher's performance as Princess or General Leia Organa". In April 2017, Fisher's family granted Disney and Lucasfilm the rights to use recent footage of the late actress in ''The Rise of Skywalker''. Kennedy later said she would not appear.
In July 2018, it was announced that Fisher would appear as Leia in ''The Rise of Skywalker'', using unseen footage from ''
The Force Awakens
''Star Wars: The Force Awakens'' (also known as ''Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens'') is a 2015 American epic space opera film produced, co-written, and directed by J. J. Abrams. The sequel to '' Return of the Jedi'' (198 ...
''. Initially, there had also been plans to use additional unseen footage of Leia from ''
The Last Jedi
''Star Wars: The Last Jedi'' (also known as ''Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi'') is a 2017 American epic space opera film written and directed by Rian Johnson. Produced by Lucasfilm and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pict ...
'', but it was ultimately not included in the ninth film. Fisher's daughter
Billie Lourd
Billie Catherine Lourd (born July 17, 1992) is an American actress. She is known for starring as Chanel #3 in the Fox horror comedy series '' Scream Queens'' (2015–2016) and for her roles in the FX horror anthology series '' American Horror ...
, who portrayed
Lieutenant Connix in all three sequel trilogy films, also stepped in as Leia for a brief flashback in the film in which her face was digitally replaced by Fisher's likeness, using imagery from ''Return of the Jedi''.
In the film, Leia continues to lead the Resistance while offering guidance and support to Rey as she continues her training to become a Jedi. A flashback reveals that Leia had abandoned her own training after she had a vision foretelling her son's death if she finished. While Rey and Ren duel on Kef Bir, a dying Leia uses all of her remaining strength to reach out to her son. Distracted after sensing his mother's death, Ren is stabbed by Rey with his own lightsaber. Leia passes away, making Rey experience overwhelming guilt. Rey heals Ren's wound using the Force. After the Battle of Exegol, a redeemed Ben Solo sacrifices the remainder of his life force to resurrect a dead Rey, and he vanishes at the same time as Leia becomes one with the Force. Rey then returns to the Lars homestead on Tatooine and buries the lightsabers that had belonged to Leia and her father,
Anakin Skywalker as the spirits of Luke and Leia look on with pride, with Rey honoring them by adopting the surname "Skywalker".
Anthology films
''Rogue One: A Star Wars Story''
Leia makes a brief appearance in the final scene of the 2016 film ''
Rogue One
''Rogue One: A Star Wars Story'' (or simply ''Rogue One'') is a 2016 American epic space opera film directed by Gareth Edwards. The screenplay by Chris Weitz and Tony Gilroy is from a story by John Knoll and Gary Whitta. It was produced by L ...
'', receiving the plans for the Death Star as a lead-up to the beginning of ''A New Hope''. Since this movie takes place prior to the original ''Star Wars'' trilogy, a very young Leia was required.
To achieve that effect, a
computer-generated image
Computer-generated imagery (CGI) is the use of computer graphics to create or contribute to images in art, printed media, video games, simulators, and visual effects in films, television programs, shorts, commercials, and videos. The images ma ...
of a young Carrie Fisher was superimposed over Norwegian actress
Ingvild Deila
Ingvild Deila (born January 18, 1987) is a Norwegian actress. She is known for her roles in both low-budget independent films and large-scale blockbusters. She first appeared in film through her role as Mina in ''FISH'' (2013); this was followed ...
's face; archival audio of Fisher saying "Hope" was used to voice the character.
Television
Leia appears briefly in 1978's ''
Star Wars Holiday Special
The ''Star Wars Holiday Special'' is a 1978 American television special that originally aired on November 17, 1978, on CBS. It is set in the universe of the sci-fi-based ''Star Wars'' media franchise. Directed by Steve Binder, it was the first ...
'' television film as a leader and administrator of the new Rebel Alliance base. She and C-3PO contact Chewbacca's wife
Mallatobuck for assistance in finding Chewbacca and Han. Leia also appears in the cartoon segment at a different Rebel Base, located in an asteroid field, and at the Life Day ceremony at the end of the film. Fisher also appeared in and hosted the November 18, 1978, episode of ''
Saturday Night Live
''Saturday Night Live'' (often abbreviated to ''SNL'') is an American late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Dick Ebersol that airs on NBC and Peacock (streaming service), Peacock. ...
'' that aired one day after the holiday special.
''Star Wars Rebels''
A teenage version of Princess Leia, voiced by Julie Dolan, appears in a 2016 episode of the
animated series
An animated series is a set of animated works with a common series title, usually related to one another. These episodes should typically share the same main characters, some different secondary characters and a basic theme. Series can have eith ...
''
Star Wars Rebels
''Star Wars Rebels'' is an American 3D animated science fiction television series produced by Lucasfilm Animation and set in the ''Star Wars'' universe. It takes place over a decade after '' Episode III: Revenge of the Sith'' and progressing ...
'', which is set between ''Revenge of the Sith'' and ''A New Hope''.
In the episode, Leia is sent on a secret mission to assist the titular rebels.
Executive producer
Dave Filoni
David Filoni (born June 7, 1974) is an American director, producer, screenwriter, and voice actor. He has worked on '' Avatar: The Last Airbender'', '' The Mandalorian'', and on the theatrical film and television series of '' Star Wars: The Clon ...
said of the appearance:
''Star Wars Forces of Destiny''
Leia appears in the animated series ''
Star Wars Forces of Destiny'', voiced by
Shelby Young.
''Star Wars Resistance''
Leia appears in the animated series ''
Star Wars Resistance
''Star Wars Resistance'' is an American 3D animated comic science fiction television series produced by Lucasfilm Animation. It follows Kazuda Xiono, a New Republic pilot who is recruited by the Resistance to spy on the growing threat of the ...
'', voiced by Rachel Butera and
Carolyn Hennesy
Carolyn Lee Hennesy (born June 10, 1962) is an American actress, author and animal advocate. Hennesy's early work consisted of guest appearances and roles in shows and television movies, including '' Dark Justice'' and in '' Deadly Invasion: Th ...
.
''Obi-Wan Kenobi''
Leia appears as a ten-year-old child in the live-action series ''
Obi-Wan Kenobi'', portrayed by
Vivien Lyra Blair
Vivien Lyra Blair (born ) is an American child actress who made her debut in the 2017 film ''Band Aid (film), Band Aid''. In 2018, she rose to prominence for her role as Girl in the film ''Bird Box (film), Bird Box''. Blair garnered further re ...
.
Novels
Leia makes her first literary appearance in ''
Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker'', the novelization of the original 1977 film ''Star Wars'', which was released six months before the film in November 1976. Credited to Lucas but
ghostwritten
''Ghostwritten'' is the first novel published by English author David Mitchell. Published in 1999, it won the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and was widely acclaimed. The story takes place mainly around East Asia, but also moves through Russia, B ...
by
Alan Dean Foster
Alan Dean Foster (born November 18, 1946) is an American writer of fantasy and science fiction. He has written several book series, more than 20 standalone novels, and many novelizations of film scripts.
Career ''Star Wars''
Foster was the ghost ...
, the novel was based on Lucas' screenplay. Leia later appeared in the novelizations ''
The Empire Strikes Back
''The Empire Strikes Back'' (also known as ''Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back'') is a 1980 American epic space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner from a screenplay by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, based on a stor ...
'' (1980) by
Donald F. Glut and ''
Return of the Jedi
''Return of the Jedi'' (also known as ''Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi'' is a 1983 American epic space opera film directed by Richard Marquand. The screenplay is by Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas from a story by Lucas, who ...
'' (1983) by
James Kahn
James Kahn (born December 30, 1947) is an American medical specialist and writer, best known for his novelization of ''Return of the Jedi''. Born in Chicago, Kahn received a degree in medical studies from the University of Chicago. His post-gra ...
. She is also a
point-of-view character in the
2015 novelization of ''The Force Awakens'' by Foster.
Foster's 1978 novel ''
Splinter of the Mind's Eye
''Splinter of the Mind's Eye'' is a 1978 science-fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster as a sequel to the film '' Star Wars'' (1977). Originally published in 1978 by Del Rey, a division of Ballantine Books, the book was written with the in ...
'' was commissioned by Lucas as the basis for a potential low-budget sequel to ''Star Wars'' should the film prove unsuccessful.
In the story, Luke and Leia seek a crystal on a swampy planet and eventually face Vader in combat.
Leia also appears in the
Journey to ''Star Wars: The Force Awakens'' line of novels and comic books, introduced in conjunction with ''The Force Awakens'' to connect the film with previous installments.
She is the lead character in the young adult novel ''Moving Target: A Princess Leia Adventure'' (2015) by
Cecil Castellucci
Cecil C. Castellucci (born October 25, 1969 in New York City), also known as Cecil Seaskull, is an American-born Canadian young adult novelist, indie rocker, and director. She currently lives in Los Angeles, California.
Biography
Castellucci gre ...
and Jason Fry, which is set between ''The Empire Strikes Back'' and ''Return of the Jedi'',
and
Claudia Gray
Claudia Gray is the pseudonym of Amy Vincent, an American writer of paranormal romance young adult fiction, best known for the ''Evernight'' series and her ''Star Wars'' novels: ''Lost Stars'', ''Bloodline'', '' Leia, Princess of Alderaan, Master ...
's novels ''
Star Wars: Bloodline'' (2016)
and ''
Leia: Princess of Alderaan'' (2017). The former is set six years before ''The Force Awakens'', while the latter features a 16-year-old Leia before the events of ''A New Hope''. She also leads in
Beth Revis
Beth Revis is an American author of fantasy and science fiction, mainly for the young adult audience. She is best known for the '' Across the Universe'' trilogy, which consists of the novels ''Across the Universe'', ''A Million Suns'' and ''Shade ...
' ''Star Wars: The Princess and the Scoundrel'' which is set immediately right after ''Return of the Jedi''.
Comics
Leia is the lead character in the five-part comic limited series ''
Star Wars: Princess Leia'' (2015), taking place immediately after ''Episode IV: A New Hope''. She is also featured prominently in the four-part comic limited series ''
Star Wars: Shattered Empire'' (2015), set immediately after ''Return of the Jedi''. ''Princess Leia'' reveals Leia to have had royal training in martial arts and explores her reaction to the destruction of Alderaan, while ''Shattered Empire'' portrays her as a skilled pilot who undertakes a dangerous mission alongside
Poe Dameron
Poe Dameron is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. Introduced in the 2015 film '' Star Wars: The Force Awakens'', he is portrayed by Oscar Isaac. Poe is an X-wing fighter pilot for the Resistance who inadvertently brings renega ...
's mother.
In ''Princess Leia'' and ''Shattered Empire'', Leia senses the past while on
Naboo
Naboo is a fictional planet in the '' Star Wars'' universe. A bountiful world with a mostly green terrain, the planet was the homeworld of two independent societies: the native Gungans, who dwelt in underwater cities, and the human Naboo, who l ...
(briefly envisioning her mother and
Darth Maul
Darth Maul, also known simply as Maul, is a Character (arts), character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. He first appeared as the secondary antagonist of the 1999 film ''Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace'' (portrayed by Ray Park and vo ...
, respectively),
and in ''
Star Wars'' #12, she uses a lightsaber as a weapon for the first time, canonically.
''Legends'' works
The original three ''Star Wars'' films have spawned a large franchise of works that include novels, comic books, and video games. Leia appears in much of this material. In April 2014 (with the sequel film ''The Force Awakens'' in production),
Lucasfilm excluded the ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe from official ''Star Wars'' canon, rebranding it as ''Star Wars'' Legends.
In this continuity, Leia continues her adventures with Han and Luke after ''Return of the Jedi'', fighting Imperial resurgences and new threats to the galaxy. She becomes the
Chief of State
A head of state (or chief of state) is the public persona who officially embodies a state Foakes, pp. 110–11 " he head of statebeing an embodiment of the State itself or representatitve of its international persona." in its unity and l ...
of the
New Republic and a
Jedi master
Jedi (), Jedi Knights, or collectively the Jedi Order are the main heroic protagonists of many works of the '' Star Wars'' franchise. Working symbiotically alongside the Old Galactic Republic, and later supporting the Rebel Alliance, the Jedi ...
, and is the mother to three children by Han:
Jaina
JAINA is an acronym for the Federation of Jain Associations in North America, an umbrella organizations to preserve, practice, and promote Jainism in USA and Canada. It was founded in 1981 and formalized in 1983. Among Jain organization it is ...
,
Jacen and
Anakin Solo
The Skywalker family is a fictional legendary human family in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. Within the series' fictional universe, the Skywalkers are presented as a bloodline with strong inherent capabilities related to the Force and sometimes lig ...
.
Novels
The 1991
''New York Times'' bestselling novel ''
Heir to the Empire
The ''Thrawn'' trilogy, also known as the ''Heir to the Empire'' trilogy, is a trilogy of novels set in the ''Star Wars'' universe, written by Timothy Zahn between 1991 and 1993. The first book marked the end of what ''Star Wars'' fandom calls "T ...
'' by
Timothy Zahn
Timothy Zahn (born September 1, 1951) is an American writer of science fiction and fantasy. He is known best for his prolific collection of ''Star Wars'' books, chiefly the ''Thrawn'' series, and has published several other series of sci-fi and f ...
began what would become a large collection of works set before, between and especially after the original films.
=Post-''Return of the Jedi''
=
The bestselling
''Thrawn'' trilogy (1991–93) by Timothy Zahn begins five years after the events of ''Return of the Jedi''.
In ''Heir to the Empire'' (1991), Leia is married to Han and three months pregnant with twins.
Noghri commandos repeatedly attempt to kidnap her as part of
Grand Admiral Thrawn
Grand Admiral Thrawn (full name: Mitth'raw'nuruodo) is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. He is notable for appearing as the eponymous character in the ''Thrawn'' trilogy of novels (1991–1993) by Timothy Zahn. Thrawn is an ...
's plan to restore the Empire and crush the New Republic.
In ''
Dark Force Rising'' (1992), Leia realizes that Darth Vader and the Empire deceived the Noghri to secure their allegiance, and by revealing the truth she turns the alien race to the side of the New Republic.
At one point, she remembers her adoptive parents on Alderaan, implying that the "mother" she discussed with Luke on Endor was Queen Breha. In ''
The Last Command'' (1993), Leia gives birth to the twins
Jaina
JAINA is an acronym for the Federation of Jain Associations in North America, an umbrella organizations to preserve, practice, and promote Jainism in USA and Canada. It was founded in 1981 and formalized in 1983. Among Jain organization it is ...
and
Jacen Solo
Jacen Solo is a fictional character in literature based on the '' Star Wars'' film series, set in what is now designated as the original-canon '' Star Wars Legends'' continuity. The son of Han Solo and Leia Organa Solo, as well as the nephew of ...
on
Coruscant
Coruscant () is an ecumenopolis planet in the fictional '' Star Wars'' universe. Its first appearance was onscreen in the 1997 Special Edition of ''Return of the Jedi'', but was first depicted and mentioned by name in Timothy Zahn's 1991 novel ' ...
during Thrawn's siege.
Leia, now the Chief of State of the New Republic, is a minor character in the
''Jedi Academy'' trilogy (1994) by
Kevin J. Anderson, set after the ''Thrawn'' trilogy. Next in the timeline is the ''Callista'' trilogy: ''
Children of the Jedi
The Callista trilogy is a series of three '' Star Wars'' novels featuring the ex-Jedi character Callista Ming; while not officially branded as a trilogy, they are often regarded as such. They take place beginning several months after the ''Jed ...
'' (1995) by
Barbara Hambly
Barbara Hambly (born August 28, 1951) is an American novelist and screenwriter within the genres of fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and historical fiction. She is the author of the bestselling Benjamin January mystery series featuring a fre ...
, ''
Darksaber'' (1995) by Anderson and ''
Planet of Twilight'' (1997) by Hambly. In ''
The Crystal Star'' (1994) by
Vonda McIntyre
Vonda Neel McIntyre () was an American science fiction writer and biologist.
Early life and education
Vonda N. McIntyre was born in Louisville, Kentucky, the daughter of H. Neel and Vonda B. Keith McIntyre, who were born in Poland, Ohio. She ...
, young Jacen, Jaina and their three-year-old brother
Anakin are kidnapped in a plot to restore the Empire, but are rescued by Leia and Chewbacca. Leia struggles with the responsibilities of her position in ''
The Black Fleet Crisis'' trilogy (1996) by
Michael P. Kube-McDowell
Michael Paul Kube-McDowell (born August 29, 1954), also known as Michael McDowell or Michael P. McDowell, is an American science fiction and non-fiction author.
Background
Born Michael Paul McDowell on August 29, 1954 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvani ...
. In ''
The New Rebellion'' (1996) by
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Kristine Kathryn Rusch (born June 4, 1960) is an American writer and editor. She writes under various pseudonyms in multiple genres, including science fiction, fantasy, mystery, romance, and mainstream.
Rusch won the Hugo Award for Best Nov ...
, she avoids an assassination attempt and then aids in the defeat of the
Dark Jedi Kueller, whom she shoots to death.
The ''Corellian'' trilogy (1995) by
Roger MacBride Allen finds Han and Leia swept up in a civil war while visiting his homeworld of
Corellia
The fictional universe of the ''Star Wars'' franchise features multiple planets and moons. While only the feature films and selected other works are considered canon to the franchise since the 2012 acquisition of Lucasfilm by The Walt Disney ...
with their children. In the two ''
Hand of Thrawn'' novels by Timothy Zahn (1997's ''
Specter of the Past'' and 1998's ''
Vision of the Future''), Leia tries to hold the New Republic together as Moff Disra conspires for its volatile factions to destroy each other. Leia appears periodically in the ''
Young Jedi Knights
''Young Jedi Knights'' is a '' Star Wars'' young adult fiction series by science fiction writer Kevin J. Anderson and his wife Rebecca Moesta. It was published from 1995 to 1998. It covers the Jedi training of Jacen and Jaina Solo, the twin c ...
'' series (1995–98) by Kevin J. Anderson and
Rebecca Moesta
Rebecca Moesta Anderson (born November 17, 1956) is an American writer and the author of several science fiction books.
Early life
Rebecca Moesta Anderson was born in Germany to American parents, and raised in Pasadena, California, where she liv ...
. The 14-volume
young adult fiction
Young adult fiction (YA) is a category of fiction written for readers from 12 to 18 years of age. While the genre is primarily targeted at adolescents, approximately half of YA readers are adults.
The subject matter and genres of YA correlate ...
series covers the Jedi training of Jacen and Jaina.
In ''
The Truce at Bakura'' (1993) by
Kathy Tyers
Kathy Tyers is an American science fiction author.
Biography
Kathy Tyers Gillin (née Moore) was born and raised in Long Beach, California. She obtained a degree in microbiology from Montana State University, where she met her first husband, Ma ...
, set one day after the ending of ''Return of the Jedi'', Leia establishes New Alderaan, a sanctuary for the destroyed planet's surviving inhabitants. The spirit of Anakin Skywalker appears to Leia and pleads for her forgiveness, but she angrily banishes him. The six-volume
''Jedi Prince'' series (1992–93) by
Paul Davids
Paul Davids is an American independent filmmaker and writer, especially in the area of science fiction. Often collaborating with his wife Hollace, Davids has written and directed several films. He has also written episodes for the television seri ...
and Hollace Davids, later contradicted by other novels, is set within a year after ''Return of the Jedi''. In ''
The Glove of Darth Vader
''Jedi Prince'' is a series of science fiction young-reader novels set in the ''Star Wars'' universe, written by Paul and Hollace Davids. They were published by Bantam Skylark between 1992 and 1993.
The series takes place about a year after '' ...
'' (1992), the self-proclaimed son of the defeated Emperor
Palpatine,
Trioculus, seeks the titular glove to cement himself as the new Emperor. Entranced by Leia's beauty in ''
The Lost City of the Jedi
''Jedi Prince'' is a series of science fiction young-reader novels set in the '' Star Wars'' universe, written by Paul and Hollace Davids. They were published by Bantam Skylark between 1992 and 1993.
The series takes place about a year after '' ...
'' (1992), Trioculus vows to make her his queen. He captures her in ''
Zorba the Hutt's Revenge'' (1992), but Jabba the Hutt's vengeful father,
Zorba, offers to trade his own prisoner
Ken
Ken or KEN may refer to:
Entertainment
* ''Ken'' (album), a 2017 album by Canadian indie rock band Destroyer.
* ''Ken'' (film), 1964 Japanese film.
* ''Ken'' (magazine), a large-format political magazine.
* Ken Masters, a main character in ...
—Palpatine's real grandson whom Trioculus has been seeking—for Leia, his son's killer. But Leia and Ken are rescued and Trioculus is frozen in carbonate by Zorba. ''
Mission from Mount Yoda'' (1993) finds Ken's father
Triclops alive and willing to join the Rebels against the Empire. Leia, now engaged to Han, is captured by Zorba in ''
Queen of the Empire'' (1993). Trioculus is revived and seizes Leia before Zorba can kill her. Leia is rescued and replaced with a lookalike droid decoy, which kills Trioculus. In ''
Prophets of the Dark Side'' (1993), Leia looks forward to her wedding to Han and has a vision of their two children.
Matthew Stover
Matthew Woodring Stover (born 1962) is an American fantasy and science fiction novelist. He is most well known for his four '' Star Wars'' novels, including the novelization of '' Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith''. He has also wr ...
's 2008 standalone novel ''
Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor'' picks up the story soon after, as Luke, Leia and the Rebels fight the
Sith Lord Shadowspawn.
In ''
The Courtship of Princess Leia'' (1994) by
Dave Wolverton
John David Wolverton (May 28, 1957 – January 14, 2022), better known by his pen names Dave Wolverton and David Farland, was an American author, editor, and instructor of online writing workshops and groups. He wrote in several genres but was ...
, set immediately before the ''Thrawn'' trilogy, Leia is presented with an advantageous political marriage to
Prince Isolder of the planet Hapes. A jealous Han abducts Leia and takes her to the planet Dathomir; Luke and Isolder follow, and there they all find the hidden forces of the Imperial warlord Zsinj. Defeating him, Han and Leia marry. The 2003 novels ''
A Forest Apart
''A Forest Apart'' is a 2003 ''Star Wars'' ebook written by Troy Denning. The novel is set before '' Tatooine Ghost'' in the ''Star Wars'' expanded universe timeline.
The novel is also available as part of the ''Tatooine Ghost'' paperback ().
...
'' and ''
Tatooine Ghost'' by
Troy Denning
Troy Denning is an American fantasy and science fiction author and game designer who has written more than two dozen novels.
Background
Denning grew up in the mountain town of Idaho Springs, Colorado. An avid reader of science fiction and fan ...
are set immediately after ''The Courtship of Princess Leia''. The newly married Leia fears that any children she has may succumb to the dark side like her father. During an adventure on
Tatooine
Tatooine () is a fictional desert planet that appears in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. It is a beige-colored, desolate world orbiting a pair of binary stars, and inhabited by human settlers and a variety of other life forms. The planet was first ...
in ''Tatooine Ghost'', she discovers the diary of her grandmother
Shmi Skywalker
The Skywalker family is a Fiction, fictional legendary human family in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. Within the series' fictional universe, the Skywalkers are presented as a bloodline with strong inherent capabilities related to the Force and some ...
and meets some of young Anakin's childhood friends. When she learns of Anakin's childhood as a slave and the traumatic death of his mother, Leia learns to forgive her father.
=Works set between films
=
In ''
Shadows of the Empire
''Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire'' is a 1996 multimedia project created by Lucasfilm. The idea was to create a story set between the films ''The Empire Strikes Back'' and ''Return of the Jedi'', and to explore all commercial possibilities of ...
'' (1996) by
Steve Perry
Stephen Ray Perry (born January 22, 1949) is an American singer and songwriter. He was the lead singer of the rock band Journey during their most commercially successful periods from 1977 to 1987, and again from 1995 to 1998. He also wrote/co ...
, the only ''Star Wars'' novel set between ''The Empire Strikes Back'' and ''Return of the Jedi'', Leia is searching for Boba Fett to find a captive Han. She is bewitched by the crime lord
Prince Xizor
This is an incomplete list of characters from the ''Star Wars'' expanded universe, now rebranded ''Star Wars Legends''. The accompanying works were declared non-canon to the ''Star Wars'' franchise by Lucasfilm in 2014.
This list applies ''o ...
using pheromones, but Chewbacca helps her elude the seduction.
''
Allegiance
An allegiance is a duty of fidelity said to be owed, or freely committed, by the people, subjects or citizens to their state or sovereign.
Etymology
From Middle English ''ligeaunce'' (see medieval Latin ''ligeantia'', "a liegance"). The ''al ...
'' (2007) and ''Choices of One'' (2011) by Timothy Zahn are set between ''Star Wars: A New Hope'' and ''The Empire Strikes Back'', and feature Leia and her cohorts seeking new allies for their Rebellion against the Empire. ''
Razor's Edge'' (2013) by
Martha Wells
Martha Wells (born September 1, 1964) is an American writer of speculative fiction. She has published a number of fantasy novels, young adult novels, media tie-ins, short stories, and nonfiction essays on fantasy and science fiction subjects. He ...
and ''
Honor Among Thieves'' (2014) by
James S. A. Corey
James S. A. Corey is the pen name used by collaborators Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, authors of the science fiction series ''The Expanse''. The first and last name are taken from Abraham's and Franck's middle names, respectively, and S. A. ar ...
take place in the same time period and also chronicle the adventures of Leia and Han.
=''New Jedi Order''
=
In the ''
New Jedi Order
''Star Wars: The New Jedi Order'' (or ''New Jedi Order'' or ''NJO'') is a series of 19 science fiction novels, published from 1999 to 2003, set in the ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe. The series revolves around the Yuuzhan Vong invasion of ...
'' series (1999–2003), Leia resigns as Chief of State, and on the heels of her warnings before the Senate, the alien
Yuuzhan Vong invade the galaxy. They destroy system after system and defeat both the Jedi and the New Republic forces in countless battles. Chewbacca dies in ''
Vector Prime
''Star Wars: The New Jedi Order'' (or ''New Jedi Order'' or ''NJO'') is a series of 19 science fiction novels, published from 1999 to 2003, set in the ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe. The series revolves around the Yuuzhan Vong invasion of ...
'' (1999) by
R.A. Salvatore, which sends Han into a deep depression that causes a rift between him and Leia. They reunite after Leia is gravely wounded at the Battle of Duro in Kathy Tyers' ''
Balance Point'' (2000). She is targeted by a deadly Voxyn slayer in Troy Dennings' ''
Star By Star'' (2001), and though she manages to evade death, her son Anakin is later killed during a mission to prevent more Voxyn from being cloned. The Vong are finally defeated in ''
The Unifying Force'' (2003) by
James Luceno
James Luceno (born 1947) is a ''New York Times'' bestselling author, best known for his novels and reference books connected with the '' Star Wars'' franchise and the Star Wars Expanded Universe, and (with Brian Daley under the shared pseudon ...
.
In Denning's
The ''Dark Nest'' trilogy (2005), Leia, Han, and several Jedi become involved in an escalating border dispute between the
Chiss and the insidious insectoid Killiks, and Leia makes a bitter enemy in the
Twi'lek warrior
Alema Rar. In ''
The Joiner King'' (2005), Leia asks
Saba Sebatyne to train her as a Jedi Knight. R2-D2 malfunctions in ''
The Unseen Queen
The ''Dark Nest'' trilogy is a trilogy of science-fiction novels set in the ''Star Wars'' Star Wars galaxy, galaxy 35–36 years after the Battle of Yavin depicted in the Star Wars (film), original ''Star Wars'' film. The series serves as a fol ...
'' (2005) and shows Luke a holoclip of his father Anakin and a pregnant woman, whom Luke learns is his and Leia's biological mother, Padmé Amidala. Anakin and Padmé are discussing a dream of Anakin's in which Padmé dies in childbirth; later, Luke and Leia watch a clip in which Padmé is talking to Obi-Wan Kenobi about Anakin.
Tenel Ka
This is an incomplete list of characters from the ''Star Wars'' expanded universe, now rebranded ''Star Wars Legends''. The accompanying works were declared non-canon to the ''Star Wars'' franchise by Lucasfilm in 2014.
This list applies ''o ...
, Queen Mother of the Hapes Consortium, has a daughter,
Allana, secretly fathered by Jacen. In ''
The Swarm War'' (2005), Luke and Leia view holoclips of their mother's death, and Leia is promoted to Jedi Knight.
=''Legacy of the Force''
=
The bestselling ''
Legacy of the Force
In law, a legacy is something held and transferred to someone as their inheritance, as by will and testament. Personal effects, family property, marriage property or collective property gained by will of real property.
Legacy or legacies may refer ...
'' series (2006–08) chronicles the crossover of Han and Leia's son Jacen to the dark side of the Force while the Jedi, Solos, and Skywalkers fight against his growing power.
In ''
Betrayal
Betrayal is the breaking or violation of a presumptive contract, trust, or confidence that produces moral and psychological conflict within a relationship amongst individuals, between organizations or between individuals and organizations. ...
'' (2006) by
Aaron Allston
Aaron Dale Allston (December 8, 1960 – February 27, 2014) was an American game designer and author of many science fiction books, notably ''Star Wars'' novels. His works as a game designer include game supplements for role-playing games, severa ...
, Jacen turns to the dark side, believing that it is the only way to save the galaxy from the chaos brewing among the member systems of the
Galactic Alliance. Jacen realizes in ''
Bloodlines'' (2006) by
Karen Traviss
Karen Traviss is a science fiction author from Wiltshire, England. She is the author of the ''Wess'Har'' series, and has written tie-in material based on ''Star Wars'', ''Gears of War'', ''Halo (series), Halo'', ''G.I. Joe'' and the newest ''Noma ...
that the Sith discipline will require him to kill one of his loved ones, which he decides is an acceptable sacrifice to save the galaxy. In Troy Denning's ''
Tempest
Tempest is a synonym for a storm.
'' The Tempest'' is a play by William Shakespeare.
Tempest or The Tempest may also refer to:
Arts and entertainment Films
* ''The Tempest'' (1908 film), a British silent film
* ''The Tempest'' (1911 film), a ...
'' (2006), Han and Leia thwart the assassination of Tenel Ka and Allana but become caught up in a Corellian conspiracy. They are almost killed when the ''Millennium Falcon'' is attacked by a
Star Destroyer
Star Destroyers are capital ships in the fictional ''Star Wars'' universe. Star Destroyers were produced by Kuat Drive Yards, later Kuat-Entralla Engineering, and serve as "the signature vessel of the fleet" for the Galactic Republic, Galactic Em ...
controlled by an increasingly powerful Jacen—who knows that his parents are on board. With Han injured, Leia and Lando further investigate the Corellians in Aaron Allston's ''Exile (Star Wars novel), Exile'' (2007), but Alema reappears to exact her vengeance on Leia. ''Sacrifice (Star Wars novel), Sacrifice'' (2007) by Karen Traviss finds Leia and Han on the run, hunted by Jacen as traitors to the Galactic Alliance. He kills Luke's wife Mara Jade as his final sacrifice to become Darth Caedus, the new ruler of the Sith. In ''Inferno (Star Wars novel), Inferno'' (2007) by Troy Denning, Han and Leia are faced with the reality that their son, now Joint Chief of State, is the enemy. Leia attempts unsuccessfully to manipulate Jacen in Aaron Allston's ''Fury (Star Wars novel), Fury'' (2007) so that the Jedi can both thwart him and neutralize Alema. Finally, in ''Invincible (Star Wars novel), Invincible'' (2008) by Troy Denning, Jaina kills Jacen in a lightsaber duel. At Tenel Ka's request, Leia and Han adopt Allana, disguised with the name "Amelia" to protect her from any future vengeance against Cadeus or the Hapes Consortium. Multiple novels in the series made The New York Times Best Seller list, ''The New York Times'' Best Seller list.
The nine-volume ''Fate of the Jedi'' series (2009–12) by Aaron Allston, Troy Denning, and Christie Golden finds Han and Leia become caught up in the intensifying conflict between the Galactic Alliance and the Jedi. In the wake of Darth Cadeus' death, the now-peaceful Galactic Alliance harbors a growing mistrust toward the Jedi, and the situation is worsened by a Force-induced psychosis that begins afflicting individual Jedi, sending them on violent rampages.
In ''Millennium Falcon (novel), Millennium Falcon'' (2008) by James Luceno, set between ''Legacy of the Force'' and ''Fate of the Jedi'', a mysterious device hidden inside the eponymous spacecraft sends Han, Leia and Allana on an adventure to investigate the ship's past before it came into Han's possession. Troy Denning's ''Crucible (Star Wars novel), Crucible'' (2013), set after ''Fate of the Jedi'' and the last novel to date in the ''Star Wars Legends'' chronology, reunites Leia, Han and Luke with Lando as they aid him to thwart a vast criminal enterprise threatening his asteroid mineral refinery in the Chilean Rift nebula.
Comics
Leia's youth is depicted in the non-canon ''Star Wars Tales'' story, ''The Princess Leia Diaries''. In it, she develops her disdain for the Empire, as well as a conflict with Tarkin. She discovers and decides to support the Rebellion.
=''Dark Empire''
=
During the events of the comic series ''Dark Empire'' (1991–92), Palpatine has been resurrected in a young clone body and seduces Luke to the dark side of the Force as part of his plan to restore the Empire. A captive Leia, resisting Palpatine's attempts to turn her as well, escapes with an artifact he needs to secure his power, the Jedi Holocron. Luke pursues her, and Leia manages to turn him back. Brother and sister then fight Palpatine with the light side of the Force, turning his own Force-generated storm against him and destroying Palpatine and his
Star Destroyer
Star Destroyers are capital ships in the fictional ''Star Wars'' universe. Star Destroyers were produced by Kuat Drive Yards, later Kuat-Entralla Engineering, and serve as "the signature vessel of the fleet" for the Galactic Republic, Galactic Em ...
. In ''Dark Empire II'' (1994–95), Leia gives birth to a third child by Han, whom she names
Anakin, to redeem her father's name. Palpatine is reborn in an inferior, rapidly deteriorating clone body in ''Empire's End'' (1995), and seeks to possess the body of the infant Anakin.
Video games
Leia appears as a playable character in every Lego Star Wars video games, Lego ''Star Wars'' video game to date.
She is also a playable character in both Star Wars Battlefront (2015 video game), ''Star Wars Battlefront'' and Star Wars Battlefront II (2017 video game), ''Star Wars Battlefront II''.
She also appears as a playable character in Disney Infinity 3.0.
Cultural impact
![SWCA - Princess Leia (17176977836)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/SWCA_-_Princess_Leia_%2817176977836%29.jpg)
Princess Leia has been called a 1980s icon,
a feminist hero
and "an exemplary personification of female empowerment".
In 2008, Leia was selected by ''Empire (magazine), Empire'' magazine as the 89th greatest film character of all time,
and
IGN
''IGN'' (formerly ''Imagine Games Network'') is an American video game and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa distri ...
listed her as their 8th top ''Star Wars'' hero.
UGO Networks listed Leia as one of their best heroes of all time in 2010.
The character has been referenced or parody, parodied in several TV shows and films,
and celebrated in cosplay. Fisher appeared in the Princess Leia's bikini, Leia metal bikini on the cover of the Summer 1983 issue of ''Rolling Stone'',
and a painting of Leia and other characters surrounding Lucas appeared on the cover of the May 25, 1983, issue of ''Time (magazine), Time'' announcing ''Return of the Jedi''. In 2013, cartoonist Jeffrey Brown (cartoonist), Jeffrey Brown published the bestselling ''Star Wars: Vader's Little Princess'', a comic strip-style book featuring Darth Vader and a young Leia in humorous father-daughter situations. Princess Leia appears on a 2007 US postage stamp and a 2015 UK stamp.
Leia has also been used in a wide range of ''Star Wars'' merchandise,
including statuettes, action figures and other toys, household items and clothing,
office supplies, food products,
and bubble bath and shampoo in Leia-shaped bottles with her head as the cap.
In her one-woman show ''Wishful Drinking'', Fisher called the Star Wars Pez, Princess Leia Pez dispenser one of the "merchandising horrors" of the series. In a 2011 interview, Fisher said:
After the 2012 acquisition of LucasFilm by the Walt Disney Company, the Disney Store stated in May 2014 that the company had "no plans for Leia products".
After public criticism, Disney told ''Time (magazine), Time'' in June 2014 that it would be releasing several Leia products.
Funko has since produced several versions of Leia (at least one for each film) in their POP! line of 4.5-inch vinyl figures in the Japanese super deformed style. Hasbro is set to release an action figure of Leia as she appears in the ''
Star Wars Rebels
''Star Wars Rebels'' is an American 3D animated science fiction television series produced by Lucasfilm Animation and set in the ''Star Wars'' universe. It takes place over a decade after '' Episode III: Revenge of the Sith'' and progressing ...
'' animated series.
"Cinnamon buns" hairstyle
Leia's unique hairdo in 1977's ''A New Hope'' has come to be known as the "doughnut" or "
cinnamon buns" hairstyle,
and is iconic of the character and series.
A February 1978 cover story for the British teen magazine ''Jackie (magazine), Jackie'' included step-by-step instructions on how to replicate Leia's hair buns.
In the 1978 short film parody ''Hardware Wars'', Princess Anne-Droid has actual cinnamon buns on the side of her head. Miss Piggy of ''The Muppet Show'' copied the hairdo in a Star Wars (The Muppet Show), ''Star Wars''-themed episode of the series in February 1980. In the 1987 Mel Brooks comedy film ''Spaceballs'', Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga) appears to have the hairstyle, which is soon revealed to in fact be a large pair of headphones.
In the parody film ''Thumb Wars'', the role of Leia was filled by a character named Princess Bunhead, who has two cinnamon rolls for hair. In 2015, Fisher's daughter
Billie Lourd
Billie Catherine Lourd (born July 17, 1992) is an American actress. She is known for starring as Chanel #3 in the Fox horror comedy series '' Scream Queens'' (2015–2016) and for her roles in the FX horror anthology series '' American Horror ...
's character in the horror-comedy TV series ''Scream Queens (2015 TV series), Scream Queens'', a rich and disaffected sorority girl known as Chanel No. 3, wears earmuffs in every scene as an homage to Fisher's iconic Leia hairstyle. Lourd also has a cameo in ''The Force Awakens'' (2015) in which she wears Leia's distinctive hair buns.
Feminist analysis
Leia has been the subject of
feminist analysis. Mark Edlitz wrote for ''The Huffington Post'' in 2010 that "Leia is an exemplary personification of female empowerment."
David Bushman, television curator at the Paley Center for Media, said in 2012, "From the male perspective ... Princess Leia was a very creditable character for her time—not perfect, but certainly defiant, assertive, and strong."
Alyssa Rosenberg of ''The Washington Post'' wrote in 2015, "Leia wasn't just the first great heroine of science fiction and fantasy to capture my imagination. She was one of the first characters I encountered whose power came from her political conviction and acumen."
In her 2007 article "Feminism and the Force: Empowerment and Disillusionment in a Galaxy Far, Far Away", Diana Dominguez cited Leia as a welcome change from the previous portrayals of women in film and TV.
She wrote:
Rosenberg writes that, though at first Luke is an apolitical innocent in search of adventure and Han is a detached opportunist in search of money, both are "influenced by Leia's passion [and] take their places as full participants in the Rebellion".
She notes, "Everyone else eventually comes around to Leia's view of the world."
Leia herself, singularly dedicated to her political movement against the Empire, "finds a partner in Han, acknowledging that personal happiness can help her sustain her commitment to building a better galactic order".
Rosenberg cites "Leia's willingness to see the best in him, and Han's desire to live up to her belief in him" as a foundation of their relationship, also pointing out his attempts to make her recognize that she has needs like anyone else and should acknowledge that she needs him.
In their 2012 essay "Lightsabers, Political Arenas, and Marriages", Ray Merlock and Kathy Merlock Jackson cite Leia as the successor of earlier science fiction heroines Wilma Deering of ''Buck Rogers'' and Dale Arden of ''
Flash Gordon'', and the embodiment of "a new stage in the ongoing presentation of the fairy-tale princess in jeopardy". Writing that "after Leia, no longer would princesses be passive and salvaged simply with a kiss," they note the reflection of the character in later Disney Princess animated films and in woman warriors such as Ellen Ripley from the Alien (franchise), ''Alien'' franchise and Xena of the adventure TV series ''Xena: Warrior Princess''.
A. O. Scott of ''The New York Times'' described Leia as "a foremother of Hermione Granger and Katniss Everdeen and of countless latter-day Disney princesses. She also foretold the recent, somewhat belated feminist turn in the ''Star Wars'' cycle itself".
Mark Hamill described Fisher's performance as:
Fisher herself described Leia as a "huge" feminist icon, dismissing the suggestion that the character was ever a "damsel in distress". Fisher said of Leia, "She bossed them around. I don't know what your idea of distress is, but that wasn't it! And I wasn't some babe running through the galaxy with my tits bouncing around. So I wasn't threatening to women".
She added, "I ''like'' Princess Leia. I like how she was feisty. I like how she killed Jabba the Hutt". "I think I am Princess Leia, and Princess Leia is me. It's like a Möbius strip, Möbius striptease."
Metal bikini
Princess Leia's bikini, Leia's slave costume when she is held captive by
Jabba the Hutt
Jabba Desilijic Tiure, more commonly known as Jabba the Hutt, is a fictional character and minor antagonist in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. Created by George Lucas, Jabba is voiced by Larry Ward with several puppeteers inside a one-ton puppet po ...
at the beginning of ''Return of the Jedi''—made of brass and dubbed Leia's "Metal Bikini" or "Gold Bikini"—immediately made the character (and Fisher) a "generational sex symbol" celebrated by pin-up posters,
and later merchandising and cosplay.
The outfit has gained a cult following of its own.
Rosenberg noted that "the costume has become culturally iconic in a way that has slipped loose from the context of the scenes in which Leia wore it and the things she does after she is forced into the outfit."
''Wired (website), Wired'' wrote in 2006, "There's no doubt that the sight of Carrie Fisher in the gold sci-fi swimsuit was burned into the sweaty subconscious of a generation of fanboys hitting puberty in the spring of 1983."
Acknowledging the opinion of some that the "Slave Leia" iconography tarnishes the character's position as "feminist hero",
Rosenberg argues:
Science fiction filmmaker Letia Clouston concurs, saying "Sci-fi has had a long history of strong female characters. Yes, Princess Leia was in a gold bikini, but she was also the one who single-handedly killed Jabba. When you take into account movies and TV shows like ''Terminator (franchise), Terminator'', ''Alien (franchise), Aliens'', ''Battlestar Galactica'', and even video games like ''Metroid'', you can see sci-fi has consistently promoted the strength of women more than any other genre."
Relationships
Family tree
Mentorship tree
See also
* List of Kenner Star Wars action figures, List of Kenner ''Star Wars'' action figures
* Solo family
References
Footnotes
Citations
External links
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leia, Princess
Adoptee characters in films
Characters created by George Lucas
Female characters in film
Fictional ambassadors
Fictional commanders
Fictional diplomats
Fictional extraterrestrial princesses
Fictional female generals
Fictional female gunfighters
Fictional female soldiers
Fictional gunfighters in films
Fictional heads of state
Fictional military personnel in films
Fictional military strategists
Fictional revolutionaries
Fictional senators
Fictional twins
Fictional war veterans
Film characters introduced in 1977
Star Wars Anthology characters
Star Wars comics characters
Star Wars Jedi characters
Star Wars literary characters
Star Wars Rebels characters
Star Wars Resistance characters
Star Wars Skywalker Saga characters
Star Wars television characters