STAR Wars: Episode IX won't begin filming until January 2018 following extensive rewrites after the tragic passing of Carrie Fisher.

Due for release in May 2019, the finale of the trilogy will have a considerably shorter production time than its two predecessors - The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.

3 Daisy Ridley will return to the Star Wars set in January 2018 to film the final part of the new trilogy

While fans of the Star Wars saga patiently wait for Star Wars: The Last Jedi to be released in December of this year, the cast and crew are already gearing up to film the ninth episode.

Initial scripts for the as-yet-untitled ninth instalment were reported to heavily focus on Carrie Fisher's iconic role of Leia Organa.

A recent Vanity Fair feature quoted producer Kathleen Kennedy as saying: "She was having a blast... The minute she finished, she grabbed me and said, 'I'd better be at the forefront of IX!' Because Harrison [Ford] was front and centre on VII, and Mark is front and centre on VIII. She thought IX would be her movie. And it would have been."

3 Carrie Fisher was expected to have a bigger role in Star Wars: Episode 9 Credit: Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair

The article also gave loyal fans a glimpse of Carrie Fisher looking regal in what is expected to be her final outing in the Star Wars saga.

Producers have ruled out using CGI technology or another actress to bring back Princess Leia in future instalments.

3 Mark Hamill and Daisy Ridley will both return to the franchise for The Last Jedi - but will they survive to Episode IX? Credit: Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair

Following Carrie's tragic passing, Disney bosses issued a statement to answer speculation of the character's future.

“She was our princess, our general, and more importantly, our friend. We are still hurting from her loss. We cherish her memory and legacy as Princess Leia, and will always strive to honour everything she gave to Star Wars."

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