Carrie Fisher had a deal to pen and star in a sequel to her hit 2006 one-woman show, “Wishful Drinking,” TheWrap has learned.
The Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles commissioned “Wishful Drinking Strikes Back: From Star Wars to, uh, Star Wars!” last Thursday, just one day before Fisher’s flight from London to Los Angeles during which she had a heart attack.
Fisher was installed as writer with Josh Ravetch producing, reprising their roles from the original “Wishful Drinking,” which had a Broadway run in 2009 and was later adapted into the actress’ popular and incisive autobiography.
According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, Fisher and the Geffen Playhouse had a handshake deal to go forward with the “Wishful Drinking” sequel, although no date had been set for the show.
Fisher, who shot to global prominence for her portrayal of Princess Leia in “Star Wars,” died Tuesday at UCLA Medical Center at the age of 60 after suffering a massive heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles. Hollywood colleagues, including her “Star Wars” co-star — and real-life lover — Harrison Ford, paid tribute to the outspoken and always sharp Fisher, with Ford calling her “funny and emotionally fearless.”
“All of us at the Geffen Playhouse are devastated by the news of the passing of our dear friend and alum, Carrie Fisher,” the theater company shared in a statement to TheWrap on Tuesday. “She was a wickedly funny force of nature and it was a privilege and a pleasure to have her on our stage. We send our love to her family and friends as we all mourn this tremendous loss.”
The actress most recently appeared alongside her mother and fellow thespian Debbie Reynolds in “Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds,” a documentary about their lives and relationship that premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. It will air on HBO in March.