So Star Wars: The Last Jedi is out and everyone I know who went to it loved it, including CB. As we have been discussing, this will mark one of if not the last cinematic offerings to feature the late, great Carrie Fisher who died a year ago on Dec 27, 2016. Carrie left behind her brother, Todd Fisher, her half-sisters Joely and Tricia Leigh Fisher, her daughter, Billie Lourd and, of course, her beloved dog Gary. Gary was not just Carrie’s little boy, he was her comfort and escorted her everywhere so we just got used to seeing him out and about.
Back in October, Gary’s Instagram posted this photo of Gary watching the trailer for The Last Jedi:
So this past weekend, Gary made his way, in costume, to the opening weekend of the film:
The late @carrieffisher's dog Gary just watched #TheLastJedi! He sat on Fisher's former assistant's lap during the film. She said his ears perked up every time she was on screen ❤️@starwars @ABC7 pic.twitter.com/2rCCGIi6Al
— Veronica Miracle (@ABC7Veronica) December 15, 2017
Following the film, he took director Rian Johnson aside and gave a few notes that promise to result in a ‘Gary’s Cut’ when the film comes out in digital. No, not really. But, as the tweet notes, Gary was said to recognize Carrie’s likeness on screen. This makes my heart hurt for Gary. I do not know much about animal behavior so my question is this: if Gary really did recognize her, would he wonder where she was afterwards? I’ll admit, I am really struggling right now because I just dropped my pup off at my parents to babysit while we are gone on our trip. When I gave him a kiss and walked out the door, he looked destroyed and all I can think of right now is, does he think I’m abandoning him?
Back to Gary, if he can recognize faces, I imagine he was surprised to see his own on screen. One clever viewer spotted what looked to be an alien Gary in a scene:
@rianjohnson we @FanthaTracks want to know if you can confirm this cute little creature is #spacegary in #TheLastJedi pic.twitter.com/0if7XRiqog
— clair henry (@irishgeekgirl) December 6, 2017
To which Johnson confirmed that it was, in fact, The Glorious Gary:
YES! Wow, good eyes.
— Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) December 6, 2017
That thing is almost as cool as the real Gary. Almost. I love this. Fans of Carrie’s know how important Gary was to her so honoring him in the film is as much an honor to her.
Speaking of Gary and his Instagram, it seems to be causing a bit of a rift in Gary’s family. Following Carrie’s death, Gary went to live with her assistant, Corby McCoin, who is the one that runs Gary’s Instagram. Corby has also booked Gary for Comic Cons and public appearances, much like The Last Jedi opening so fans can feel like Carrie is still here. Apparently, daughter Billie, who it was originally rumored to adopt Gary, and her father, Bryan Lourd, are not happy with Gary’s exposure. They think it’s cheapening Carrie’s legacy and have asked that Gary not be brought to many requested events. I agree with DListed in that I can see both sides to this discussion. Carrie had no problem with his Instagram or exposure but if her family wishes otherwise, maybe their wishes should be honored. Apparently Lucasfilm is siding with the Lourds. I want what’s best for Gary… but I would miss his darling little mug.
Photo credit: Instagram, Twitter, WENN Photos and Getty Images
I have three dogs and one of them watches TV and always barks or growls at other dogs and horses. I also have a french bulldog that looks a bit like Gary, minus the tongue. She cannot stand to be out of my sight, so I love that Carrie brought him everywhere and they were so close. I kind of side with the Lourd’s on the debate with perhaps a compromise. Keep the instagram but do away with the public appearances like Comic Con. That is a lot for a dog to take, especially when Mom is no longer there to be a source of comfort.
It’s funnier when the dog recognises someone’s voice on a phone – they look confused as to how people fit in that thing. Also a friend’s dog does a pretty solid version of my name when she wants to say hello but I am too far away for pets. (It took me a while to notice as well, how often does the dog call you by name?)
Yeah I think the appearances should be kept to a minimum, not for legacy reasons (Carrie is and always will be a legend) but for the dog’s own comfort.
Not going to spoil anything but she is WONDERFUL is the movie. Breaks my heart for what could have been.
I agree that whatever is best for the dog. However, Instagram posts really aren’t a hardship on the dog. And, if Billie Monotone wants a say, then perhaps she should have adopted the dog like she planned.
I think some animals pay attention to televisions and other are oblivious to it. My dog never paid attention ever to the television screen, even if there were animals on it. If a dog happened to bark on screen and he heard it, his ears might perk up a bit but that was it. Same with mirrors. Most dogs do not react to their reflection in mirrors but some animals do.
I have heard of dog owners claiming their dogs “watch” TV with them and recognize certain animals on screen. I think some dogs are cognizant of it and others like mine just had no interest/didn’t realize the TV had moving images of people and animals. I’m glad Gary got to “recognize” Carrie if that’s what really happened. I like to think he had some idea he was watching her.
Star Wars has never been my jam. I just don’t get it but literally everybody involved in this movie is likeable from the interviews, red carpet, twitter I’ve seen. I don’t know if should I start a movie franchise on the 8th (?) film but it makes so many people around me so happy. I don’t know.
I hated the film. I was deeply disappointed and most of the people I’ve spoken to feel the same.
I hope Gary is OK. I teared up a bit at this post.
Aw, sweet. Hecate, I am planning to have my kitty stay with my parents for a week when we go away and I also am worried she’ll think I abandoned her! I guess its comforting to know they will be well cared for. Imagine their happiness and surprise when we return.
A couple years after my Grandma died, I was visiting my Grandpa and showed him a video of her that I’d uploaded to my YouTube account. It was just a video of her talking or something, but while we were watching it, their dog who was also in the room DEFINITELY recognized her voice and started walking all over their house trying to find her. It was so sad.
Awwwww <3
My brother’s dog is extremely attached to him. He’s a friendly dog, but if my brother leaves him in the car while he goes into a store, the dog is inconsolable until his buddy comes back.
I read somewhere online that every time you leave your pet, they think you’re never coming back.
This film is soooo divisive. It had faults but overall I really, really liked it, and I’m not the biggest Star Wars fan. Some parts like the Rey, Kylo, Snoke, guards fight were flat out amazing. Rian Johnson jammed everything in, killed theories, punctured myths, and generally went balls to the wall, which I appreciated even though it got messy.
Some fanboys want to kill him, lol.