Star Wars: The Last Jedi is the last time we'll see Carrie Fisher in her iconic role as Leia, but her presence will be felt over the franchise for a long time. In particular, she has had an effect on co-star Oscar Isaac who plays Resistance fighter pilot Poe Dameron, and it seems that their characters bond in the upcoming film in much the same way that the actors came to rely on one another.
“Poe is in some ways a surrogate son for Leia,” Isaac said. “But also I think she sees in him the potential for a truly great leader of the Resistance and beyond...Poe’s arc is one of evolving from a heroic soldier to a seasoned leader, to see beyond the single-mindedness of winning the battle to the larger picture of the future of the galaxy,” he added. “I think Leia knows she won’t be around forever and she, with tough love, wants to push Poe to be more than the badass pilot, to temper his heroic impulses with wisdom and clarity.”
Isaac continues to have fond memories of the time he got to spend with Fisher, recalling some of his favorite moments with her on set...
"One of my favorite things that would happen from time to time on set would be when Carrie would sing old songs. Whenever that would happen I would offer her my hand and we would waltz around the set – on a starship, in a Rebel base, on an alien planet, and she would sing and we would dance. So surreal and beautiful to think about now. For all of her delicious, wicked humor and fiery energy she also had such sweet grace. I miss her dearly."
Meanwhile, we're also learning a bit more about DJ, the "ambiguous" character played by Benicio Del Toro. Does he play any other kind of character? Anyway, John Boyega gives us a little more info on him, like his chosen profession, and confirms that he's a sketchy dude...
“We just need a codebreaker and he’s the best in the galaxy. Unfortunately, he’s very dodgy and only in it for financial gain. He doesn’t fight for any side...He has distinct opinions,” Boyega said. “The Resistance bombs the First Order one day, the First Order bombs the Resistance on another. It’s an ongoing war that will never end. For him, he’s trying to benefit off of that — which doesn’t make him the person you want to trust.”
DJ should feel right at home on the gambling city of Canto Bight, which is where he heads alongside Finn and Rose, played by newcomer Kelly Marie Tran.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens December 15th. [EW]
