Princess Leia will go by a new name in the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

The character - played once again by Carrie Fisher - has changed a lot since she was last seen in Return of the Jedi.

Having become something of a military strategist, she'll now go by the name General Leia.

While it might take a bit of time for fans to get used to the change, they won't be the only ones who are struggling to remember her new name.

Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia
Princess Leia back in 1977

According to director JJ Abrams , one character will accidentally call Leia by her original name in the new film.

"She's referred to as General," Abrams told Entertainment Weekly.

"But ... there's a moment in the movie where a character sort of slips and calls her 'Princess'."

JJ Abrams
The director dropped a hint

Fans have suspected that Leia's role in the blockbuster might be a kind of short cameo for the sake of older fans.

But Abram's has now said 'the stakes are pretty high' involving Leia's plot, suggesting she might have a bigger part to play than first expected.

The director also said he was thrilled to have got Carrie to reprise the role alongside Harrison Ford .

Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford
Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford kiss

He said: "It felt historic to have her, especially with Harrison, back in scenes together.

"I can only imagine the baggage that they bring to it, I'm just a fan who loves this stuff, but they've been living with it - and living in it - since '77."

Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits cinemas on December 18.

Read more:18 things revealed in the new Star Wars trailer

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