On December 27, 2016, Carrie Fisher, who was perhaps best known as Princess/General Leia Organa in the Star Wars Universe, passed away after a heart attack. As Star Wars fans and the world mourn Ms. Fisher’s passing, questions are swirling about how the Star Wars franchise will handle her death and the future of Princess Leia. Ms. Fisher finished shooting Episode VIII prior to her passing and was expected to have a part in Episode IX.
What is clear now is that Disney purchased a contract protection policy on Ms. Fisher. Disney, which owns the Star Wars franchise, took out the $50 million policy to cover its losses in the event Ms. Fisher could not meet her contractual obligations with respect to future Star Wars episodes. If paid, the policy, issued through Lloyd’s of London by New Jersey-based Exceptional Risk Advisors, would be one of the largest single payouts on this type of policy.