The Real Reason Carrie Fisher Later Regretted Her Star Wars Role

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The first Star Wars movie launched a hugely important chapter in film history and became the defining role of Carrie Fisher’s career. Even though she was already quite slim at 105 pounds, Fisher was reportedly asked to lose ten more pounds to get the part – a demand not made of her male co-stars, Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford. She agreed, and went on to become the iconic Princess Leia Organa. Decades later, Leia remains a pop culture icon, instantly recognized for her unique hairstyles and her famous message to Obi-Wan Kenobi. While the role made Fisher an international star, she spent much of her life trying to avoid that level of fame. Released in 1977, Star Wars was a massive success, breaking box office records and creating a global franchise that has since earned billions of dollars.

Carrie Fisher later returned to play her iconic role in the newer Star Wars films, with The Force Awakens being the last one she filmed. Even as other big franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe became popular, Star Wars continued to be the benchmark for blockbuster movies. However, despite the series’ huge success, Fisher privately struggled with the level of fame it brought her, and later said she probably wouldn’t have taken the part if she’d known how famous it would make her.

Growing up as the daughter of famous actors Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, Carrie Fisher understood the realities of show business from a young age. She often described seeing behind the scenes – the less glamorous side of Hollywood – and realizing it wasn’t as magical as it appeared.

Because of this upbringing, Fisher developed a strong dislike for the attention that came with fame, even before she became an actress herself. She witnessed the pain and struggles of celebrity life firsthand, which made her want to avoid the typical Hollywood path.

Despite her reservations, Fisher embraced her own fame with remarkable humor and honesty. She bravely spoke openly about her bipolar disorder, helping to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, and became a highly respected writer and script doctor in the industry.

I’m still so inspired by Carrie Fisher, and it’s wonderful to see her memory living on with new fans and, of course, through her incredible daughter, Billie Lourd. Billie is really making a name for herself as an actress – I just heard she’s filming a really interesting movie called Artificial, directed by Luca Guadagnino, with Andrew Garfield and Jason Schwartzman! It sounds like a powerful story about the challenges surrounding artificial intelligence. And recently, she honored her mom by celebrating the anniversary of Carrie’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame – it was so touching that it’s right near her grandmother, Debbie Reynolds’ star. It’s a beautiful way to remember their amazing family legacy.

This spring, Star Wars fans have a new animated series, Maul: Shadow Lord, to enjoy. Although Lucasfilm won’t digitally recreate Carrie Fisher’s image for future films, her impact remains central to the story. Fisher’s final book, The Princess Diarist, continues to be popular, offering readers an honest look at the making of a pop culture icon.

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2026-02-11 18:16