In promotional materials for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens", Luke Skywalker's sister Leia was never seen sporting a light sabre. To the disappointment of the franchise's fans who were eager to see her as a Jedi, Leia chose a different path. Why did she deviate from the family business? J.J. Abrams explained why.
"It was a great question and one that we talked about a lot -- even with Carrie (Fisher) -- if there was another, why did she not take advantage of this natural Force strength that she's got?" the director told IGN when he discussed Leia's choice to become a general in the Resistance instead of following her brother's footsteps.
"One of the answers was that it was simply a choice that she made. That her decision to run the rebellion and, ultimately, this resistance and consider herself a general as opposed to a Jedi, it was simply a choice that she took. Not that there's any regret that she could have become a Jedi and didn't," Abrams continued.
However, this choice doesn't mean that the Force within Leia is already gone. Abrams emphasized that it will always be a part of her. He said, "Clearly, we've seen, and will see again, that she's still Force strong. It's something that is an intrinsic piece of her character."
There were several times in the previous Star Wars movie where Leia demonstrated that she is Force Strong. In the end of "Empire Strikes Back", she was positioned as a back-up for Luke in the final fight with Darth Vader. With the Force, she was able to rescue her brother from Bespin. In "Return of the Jedi" Leia has once again used the Force to sense Luke's survival after the Battle of Endor.
Fans may never see Leia as a Jedi on "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" but many are positive that Rey, a new character who is possibly a Skywalker, may become a female Jedi knight.