Star Wars Icon Removed From Cult Classic Movie For Controversial Reason

Just one week before production on Clue began, the actress who made space buns so popular was ready to play the voluptuous vixen. At that time, Jonathan Lynn, the writer and director of the movie, received a phone call from Carrie Fisher notifying him that she was in rehab. The Princess Leia actress still wanted to shoot the film, but given her circumstances, the studio replaced her.

Lesley Ann Warren, the actress who ended up wonderfully portraying Miss Scarlet, remembers getting the call from Paramount asking if she wanted the part. Warren was friends with Carrie Fisher and felt terrible about the situation, but ultimately was eager to be a part of Clue. 

The late, great Carrie Fisher had a long battle with drug abuse that lasted up until the day she passed away. The Star Wars actress grew up in the limelight and began using drugs to cope with her at-the-time undiagnosed bipolar disorder. Long before signing up for Clue, the actress was using drugs like cocaine to cope.

She even admitted to being under the influence while filming many Star Wars scenes, revealing that she was high on coke during her battle on Hoth shoots.

Carrie Fisher passed away on December 27, 2016 due to complications from a heart attack. A toxicology report revealed various drugs in her system, including cocaine, opiates, and ecstasy. 

Clue is infamous for being a complete box office dud when it was released, but imagine how that might have changed if the studio had been able to boast Carrie Fisher as the lovely Miss Scarlet. Sure, Lesley Ann Warren had star power at the time, but most knew her as the lovely but shy Cinderella from the 1965 TV musical of the same name. 

Putting Carrie Fisher, the embodiment of every man’s fantasy in the ‘80s, in Miss Scarlet’s shoes would surely have brought warm bodies into the cinema. 

But still, given Carrie Fisher’s addiction and obvious need for rehabilitation, it seems the studio made the right move removing her from Clue. Even without a Star Wars icon, the mystery comedy remains a favorite by many because of its fast-talking witty banter, and the ability to bring together such a great comedic ensemble.

There’s a reason discussions of Clue remakes continue to fail: no one can replicate that kind of cinematic genius.

Source: Entertainment Weekly