Lando is coming back, baby. Billy Dee Williams is confirmed for Star Wars Episode IX, according to a report from The Hollywood Report.
Where there is smoke, there is fire. Billy Dee Williams will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian for Star Wars: Episode IX, The Hollywood Reporter officially reported.
We first got a glimpse of Lando in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back when Williams’ character helped and betrayed and helped the crew at Bespin. Young Lando was portrayed by Donald Glover in Solo: A Star Wars Story.
It’s time to bring it full circle with Williams coming back.
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It had been rumored Williams was headed back to Star Wars when he canceled a convention appearance in September – right around the time Star Wars would be filming. With all the news and leaks out there, it was hard to tell if the rumors were true or the cancellation was just a coincidence.
Lando has always been a fascinating character. The charmer was smoothness wrapped in a cape. Williams wasn’t away from the character for too long since the original trilogy. He reprised the role doing voice work for animated series and video games.
In the movies, it makes sense for J.J. Abrams to bring Calrissian back into the Star Wars realm. We have seen a number of former characters in the new trilogy including General Leia, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. Episode IX will take a different tone, though, as neither Han or Luke will be around (maybe). In addition, Carrie Fisher’s death will have to be handled for the final movie.
Next: Star Wars: Episode IX all the rumors, leaks and theories rounded up in one place
This is the second bit of casting news to come out in the last several days. The Americans’ Keri Russell has been tapped to play in a currently unnamed role. It’s unclear what or how big or a role she will have in the film, but we have some ideas of what we don’t want her to play.
Star Wars Episode IX is scheduled to release on December 20, 2019.