Los Angeles (AFP)

The Force has been with them for 42 years: the veterans of the Star Wars saga meet this week for the last installment of the adventures created by George Lucas in 1977, with the unexpected and moving presence of Princess Leia.

Even if other films set in the Star Wars universe are already in preparation, "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" will be a kind of farewell to childhood for an entire generation.

The ninth and last episode of the series takes on the appearance of a swan song for Anthony Daniels, who plays from the start the C3PO droid, Billy Dee Williams, who plays the big-hearted con artist Lando Calrissian, and for Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker ).

And Princess Leia Organa, inseparable from actress Carrie Fisher, who died suddenly of a heart attack at the end of 2016, at only 60 years old? "The idea of ​​continuing the story without Leia was not an option, and making a digital version was out of the question," said director JJ. Abrams.

"And of course, it never occurred to us to have the role taken over" by another actress, he added at a press conference near Los Angeles.

It is therefore thanks to a skilful recycling of shots taken during previous episodes that Carrie Fisher is still present in "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker", where she even plays a central role.

The young idealistic princess from the beginning, with the famous macaroon hairstyle, has become a renowned general, inspiring a new generation of resistance heroes such as Rey (Daisy Ridley). She is also the mother of the sinister follower of the dark side, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver).

For the purposes of the film, the other actors therefore shot scenes and dialogues that could be linked to the plans already recorded by Carrie Fisher - including her own daughter Billie Lourd.

"Carrie really played a big part in all of this," said Kelly Marie Tran, 30, who plays in the last opus a courageous mechanic of the Resistance, Rose Tico. "So for me it was important to honor that and do the right thing. And I think she is frankly incredible in this film!", She launched in front of the journalists.

- "Depositary" -

Carrie Fisher is not the only one who disappeared before the end of the saga. British giant Peter Mayhew, who long wore the hairy costume of wookiee Chewbacca, died last April.

Due to health problems, he had taken over after filming "Le Réveil de la Force" in 2015 and he was succeeded by the Finnish basketball player Joonas Suotamo (2.09 m).

"When Peter disappeared this year, I was heartbroken. But I like to think that I did him justice with this film," said Joonas Suotamo, for whom it was his predecessor who gave to his character this instantly recognizable swaying gait.

"Even without having seen Star Wars, you can know who Chewbacca is. And that's what I'm the custodian of," he said.

At 83, Billy Dee Williams explains for his part that he had the impression of discovering a new role when he reconnected with his character of Lando Calrissian, 36 years after "The Return of the Jedi".

"I didn't think that could happen. I had turned the page. But when I received JJ's call and we met (...) I thought it was a great gift. ", he remembers.

Anthony Daniels, who has played the golden droid and stuffy C3PO in all episodes since 1977, also explains that he took stock of the road traveled with the loss of his comrades.

"It's like having your nose glued to the planet, you can't see how big it is. But ultimately, I can see it from another perspective ... I'm glad I survived for so long ! ", he says.

Like it or not, "Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker" plays a lot on nostalgia and references to past episodes. NOT A WORD. Abrams admits that no solution was perfect to compensate for the disappearance of Carrie Fisher, but maintains that his film keeps all its promises.

"If Carrie had been there, would we have done things differently at times? Of course we did," he admits. "But we found a way to get her into the movie. And I think she would have liked it herself."

© 2019 AFP