Good news for Carrie Fisher fans! Her final film, Wonderwell, is finally being released. Fisher filmed the movie in late 2016, wrapping up just six weeks before her death — and subsequently taking seven years to finish. Producer Lee Rudnicki called Fisher’s final scene in the film “a magical final curtain call for a very special actress.
Carrie F. Fisher (1956-2016) was best known for playing Princess-Senator Leia Organa in the Star Wars franchise. She died December 27, 2016, mere weeks after filming her role in Wonderwell.
Wonderwall is a fantasy adventure, filmed on location in Italy and starring Fisher as the enigmatic Hazel, Rita Ora (Mia Grey in Fifty Shades of Grey and Fifty Shades Freed) as Yana, and Sebastian Croft (Yuri in Vampyr), (Ben Hope in Heartstopper) as Daniele.
Set between contemporary Italy and a fantastical realm, the coming-of-age story follows Violet (Milward), an inquisitive girl living in Italy with her American parents and her beautiful older sister, Savannah (Tiger Free). When Savannah is selected to be the face of world-renowned designer Yana’s (Ora) fashion label, the family travels to an enchanting medieval village for a photo shoot. Neglected and bored, Violet wanders from the ancient Tuscan town into a nearby forest where she meets the enigmatic Hazel (Fisher), who warns her about Yana’s beleaguered stepson, Daniele (Croft). Guided by Hazel to a mysterious portal, Violet is offered a glimpse of what her future might hold.
Director Vlad Marsarvin said “he journey we have taken as filmmakers with this movie, has been as perilous as that of the movie itself. From filming to screen it has taken us seven years. The visual effects on a movie of this magnitude takes time, but we were challenged with Covid lockdowns and of course the passing of our wonderful Carrie Fisher. Now is the perfect time to share her magical on-screen moments as Hazel.”
It will come as no surprise that Wonderwell is dedicated to Carrie Fisher. The movie is set for a limited theatrical release on June 23, 2023, a week before indiana Jones and the DIal of Destiny will be released.
It’s a pity limited theatrical releases rarely go to drive-ins. Carrie Fisher’s last performance and Indiana Jones’ last adventure would make a wonderful double feature.
Wonderewell is Vlad Marsarvin’s directorial debut. It was filmed on location in Italy. William Brookfield(Milk, Kidnapping Mr. Heineken, Close Your Eyes) wrote the script. Seven years is a long time. Let’s hope Wonderwell is worth the wait. Rita Ora said it’s a “cool movie,” but of, course, she is bound to be slightly biased in the film’s favor. See it for yourself later this month, and tell us what you think.
– 30 –
Susan Macdonald is the author of the children’s book “R is for Renaissance Faire”, as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in “Alternative Truths”, “Swords and Sorceress #30”, Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, “Cat Tails” “Under Western Stars”, and “Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid”. Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio’s web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions, Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.
