Carrie Fisher played Princess Leia in the original Star Wars movies. In an old interview, she discussed why she loved Leia’s character. Here are the key points:
- Leia was a “fighter” and very independent, not a “damsel inย distress”
- Thisย appealed to Fisher because Leia defied the stereotypical helpless princess
- She was excited to play a strong, capable female character
Fisher appreciated that Leia could deal with tough situations on her own without constantly needing to be rescued by the male heroes. But what was it actually like making the first Star Wars film?
The “Low Budget” $10 Million Blockbuster
Even though Star Wars became a massive hit, it didn’t have an enormous budget for special effects back then. Fisher explains:
- The film’s total budget was only $10 million, which was low for a special effects movie
- But the crew found cheap, creative ways to make incredible visual scenes
- They used new computer technology to capture and perfectly plan out every shot
Because money was so tight, the production had to meticulously plan scenes with robots, aliens, and epic planetary battles. Somehow, they made movie magic on a “low budget.”
Swinging Into Action – Leia’s Daring Stunt
Not only did Fisher act alongside exotic creature costumes, but she also performed her hair-raising stunt work. She recalls the dramatic scene where Leia swings across a massive chasm while attached to Luke Skywalker:
- The drop below was around 30 feet, which made Fisher “veryย frightened”
- The crew first safety-tested by dangling Fisher and her co-star from the ceiling
- Despite her nerves, Fisher completed the swing ideally in one take
After nailing it on the first try, Fisher didn’t get to re-do and enjoy the thrilling stunt. Just another day as a badass, stunt-performing princess!
Carrie Fisher’s Fondness for Feisty Leia
Over 40 years later, Carrie Fisher’s portrayal of the blaster-wielding, wisecracking Princess Leia remains iconic. Her pride in bringing such a bold, unconventional female hero to life is still evident.
In the actor’s own words, Leia “wasn’t your stereotypical princess” constantly waiting to be rescued. She took charge, gave orders, and fought for herself when needed. This powerful portrayal helped redefine how princesses could act in movies.
Do you agree Leia stood out as a uniquely capable, empowered female character for her era? What did you find most memorable about Fisher’s performance? Voice your thoughts in the comments!
