The year of 2016 has been a shocking year for celebrity deaths. This year alone we have managed to lose famous musicians such as George Michael, Prince and sports legends such as Muhammad Ali. Then even the Hollywood greats such as Ron Glass, Kenny Baker, Garry Shandling, Anton Yelchin and sadly I could go on. But even as the year draws to a close we still manage to lose someone who was an inspiration to many. Carrie Fisher who played the iconic Princess Leia in The Star Wars universe has passed away, aged only 60.
This news will have shocked millions of fans. Broken many people down as they can’t believe what they are hearing. One of the most incredible things about Carrie Fisher and her character Princess Leia is that she has lived throughout generations. This is what I want to focus on. The fact that she struck the hearts of many all the way back in 1977 when A New Hope came out and still manages to continue on in 2015 when The Force Awakens came to our cinema screens.
So what is it that makes her this influential? During the years of the original Star Wars trilogy, little boys wanted to marry Princess Leia and little girls wanted to be her. In 2015 Carrie Fisher introduced Leia to a whole new generation of fans. Leia was not the princess who always needed to be rescued. She saw herself as an equal to Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. Eventually, she took control of the Rebellion and in The Force Awakens, we see that she is a respected leader. This alone is the kind of role model that is needed for young girls everywhere. She promotes power and confidence for women and young girls everywhere.
Many have already taken to Facebook, Twitter any social media possible to share their thoughts of kind words and love. But the reaction that is the most upsetting to see is of Mark Hamill who played Luke Skywalker. It is hard to imagine how much this must be affecting to him. But the support from the entire Star Wars community and its fans are there to help him
‘Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.’ Those were the famous words uttered by a holographic image of Princess Leia in Star Wars: A New Hope. This is what we should take with us into 2017. Hope. The hope that we can be as strong and courageous as Princess Leia and Carrie Fisher. That we can make 2017 a year to remember and keep the dream alive. Star Wars will continue on throughout generations, which means so will stories of Carrie Fisher and the inspiration she was.
As many people have said already ‘May the force be with you’ Carrie and I hope you can see all the good you have created right now.
