AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: PRINCESS LEIA ORGANA RETURNS!

Though gobsmacked like everybody else with the incredible success of the original Star Wars, Carrie Fisher was already signed up to play the feisty Princess Leia Organa for an inevitable sequel/s. In between the craziness of publicity and sudden world recognisability that was 1977-1978, the young actress would, after resuming her role of Leia for the infamous beyond words The Star Wars Holiday Special of 1978, and before shooting on The Empire Strikes Back from March - August 1979, keep her feet on more earthly ground with notable TV appearances in the drama Come Back Little Sheba (working alongside Sir Lawrence Olivier), make a fun appearance in the comedy hit TV series Laverne and Shirley, and contribute to oddball movie comedies like Under the Rainbow and the soon cult hit The Blues Brothers.

With Empire, Fisher saw the role of Princess Leia Organa gain more depth, whose duties as a rebel leader, in the dark days following the Death Star's destruction, are further showcased on the ice planet of Hoth, alongside the deepening relationships she'd shared with her close friend Luke Skywalker, and her reluctant-at-first but soon lover in that 'scoundrel' space smuggler Han Solo...

Uh- oh, they're arguing again!

A lovely publicity image of Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia Organa.

The Princess is relieved to see the return of the injured Luke Skywalker.

At the receiving end of bad news from Han Solo on their mysterious 'visitor'

Briefing the pilots on the upcoming Rebel base evacuation.

Coordinating the escape in tense times, alongside the ever-loyal Threepio.

Escaping to the Falcon with Han Solo.

On board the Falcon, our heroes are under constant Imperial pursuit.

Giving in to her feelings for Han Solo in a now classic posed image.

And garnering further attentions from that 'old smoothy' Lando Calrissian as Bespin.

A lovely shot of a thoughtful Leia in her Bespin wardrobe.

Times are changing for the new lovers.

Preparing for a dinner with a twist on Cloud City.

Captured once more by Imperials in this publicity image.

Watching helplessly as her lover is to be put in Carbonite, in this rehearsal shot.

Dark days ahead.

The famous kiss and 'I know' moment.

Will Han survive the freezing process?

The frozen visage of Han Solo is cruelly revealed.

Used as bait to trap the newly arrived Luke Skywalker...

... but soon back in action alongside the faithful Chewbacca.

Fighting back as our heroes escape to the Falcon.

They've rescued the injured Luke, but even Leia knows the young Jedi will never be the same again after confronting Darth Vader.

The final moments of V, as our survivors, within a Medical Frigate, watch the departing Falcon heading to Tatooine.