In order to allow Princess Leia to appear in "Star Wars Episode IX" despite Carrie Fisher's death in 2016, unreleased footage of the actress that had been shot for "The Force Awakens" and "The Last Jedi" was used to create a last tribute to the actress that's been part of the series from the beginning. The final film of the cult space epic premieres in December 2019.

Cushing famously appeared in the first Star Wars film in 1977 as Imperial Officer Grand Moff Tarkin. The actor, who died in 1994, was resurrected for the 2016 "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," alongside a 19-year-old Carrie Fisher. Both characters were re-created through CGI, with the help of stand-in actors. It triggered debates on the ethics of resuscitating long-dead actors.

Most of Philip Seymour Hoffman's scenes for the two parts of "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay" had been completed before he died of an overdose in 2014. It was rumored that the remaining ones would be digitally recreated. But the nuanced work of the actor clearly couldn't be generated by a computer, so parts of the script were rewritten instead. Subtle CGI was used in just a few shots.

The English actor died of a heart attack during one of his legendary drinking nights, right in the middle of the shoot of Ridley Scott's "Gladiator" (2000). Here too, the script was rewritten, but some crucial scenes were created through CGI, using existing shots of the actor. Reed was posthumously nominated for a BAFTA Award for best supporting actor for his performance as Antonius Proximo.

The actor best know as Police Chief Martin Brody in "Jaws" (1975) died before the filming of "Iron Cross" (2009) was completed. In his final film role, Scheider is a retired New York police officer who travels to Nuremberg, Germany. His scenes were also completed using CGI.

The star of timeless romantic comedies such as "Roman Holiday" (1953) and "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961) embodies flirty elegance; her films evoke nostalgia of a bygone era — perfect images to promote a product. A young version of the late actress was therefore resurrected through CGI for a chocolate ad in 2014. While it featured cutting-edge technology, she did blink a bit like a robot.

The martial arts legend, who died in 1973, was resurrected for a 2013 Johnny Walker whisky ad in China. Set in modern day Hong Kong, the commercial combined CGI and a Bruce Lee lookalike actor. Fans were outraged, not only because the ad recreated a pale version of the movie icon, but because it promoted alcohol — which the kungfu star had abstained from drinking during his lifetime.

Bruce Lee's son was fatally wounded on the set of "The Crow," just a few days before completion of the shoot. Director Alex Proyas decided to finish his work nevertheless. Lee became the first dead actor recreated with CGI. His stunt double served as a stand-in; Lee's face was added on afterwards. Dark lighting and strategic shots created a seamless effect. The 1994 film became a cult classic.

Half-way though the filming of "Fast & Furious 7," Paul Walker died in a car accident. His scenes were nevertheless elaborately completed through CGI. Paul's brother, Cody, stood in for him; the facial features of the 15-year-older late actor were then added onto Cody's performance — for 260 shots of the movie. The effect is quite convincing.

The British stage actor had been deceased for nearly 13 years when he was resurrected for the retro-science-fiction "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" (2004). Sir Laurence Olivier's posthumous character, Dr. Totenkopf, appears in the form of a disembodied head. The shots were all taken from previously existing filmed performances. The movie became a cult classic.

He was self-assured and utterly carefree. Images like this one, from his last film "Giant," ensure that James Dean will remain in our collective memory as a role model for being laid back.

The actor was born on February 8, 1931, and grew up in the Midwestern state of Indiana in the US. His mother died of cancer at the age of 29, when James was just nine. He was raised by his grandmother and aunt.

James Dean discovered his interest in acting, art and dance early on. In the rural Midwest where his family lived, he participated in school theater groups and learned to dance, make music and do pottery. Pictured is his boyhood home in Fairmount, Indiana.

James Dean began acting at a young age, participating in private theater groups. He also got small roles in stage and television productions. He made his cinema debut in 1951 with an appearance in "Fixed Bayonets!" under director Sam Fuller.

His first major film role shot him to fame. The in-demand director Elia Kazan cast the young Dean in his drama, "East of Eden" in 1955. The makers of the movie intentionally geared the actor into an iconic figure.

His second major film solidified James Dean's 'cool' status. In Nicholas Ray's classic "Rebel Without a Cause," Dean played the role of his life: the insubordinate American teen.

George Steven's "Giant" (released in 1956) was the last movie James Dean starred in. He died in a car accident in 1955 before the film was edited. In the picture on early 20th-century American society, Dean played alongside Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson.

James Dean was always interested in fast cars. With the money he earned from his early films, he bought fancy sports cars and participated in car races.

On September 30, 1955, James Dean crashed his car at an intersection in California. At first, his speeding was thought to be the cause of the accident. But it was later determined that the actor wasn't responsible. Images of his destroyed car were overwhelming for his fans.

The cult surrounding James Dean began shortly after his death. He remains one of the most legendary actors to have come out of Hollywood.