Billy Dee Williams Coming Back As Lando Calrissian For Star Wars: Episode IXPosted by Wilson Morales
July 10, 2018
Source: THR
The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that Billy Dee Williams will return to reprise his role of Lando Calrissian for Star Wars: Episode IX.
With all three of the original “Star Wars” key characters (Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia) gone within the film’s continuity, Lando marks the most significant character from the original trilogy who is still alive on screen and so his appearance marks one last link to the original films.
Williams made his debut as the gambling scoundrel in Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, reprising in Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, and in countless other Star Wars shows like Star Wars Rebels and games like Star Wars: Jedi Knight II – Jedi Outcast. He even voiced the character in various Robot Chicken and Family Guy episodes dedicated solely to Star Wars as well as The LEGO Movie.
Williams, aged 81, was recently seen attending the “Solo: A Star Wars Story” premiere and posted photos with actor/musician Donald Glover who played the younger version of the character in that film.
In Episode IX, Williams joins returning franchise stars Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Adam Driver, plus newcomer Keri Russell.
Star Wars: Episode IX will conclude the third trilogy of Star Wars movies that began with Star Wars: The Force Awakens followed up by Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Following Colin Trevorrow’s exit over creative differences, Abrams — who directed The Force Awakens — was asked to return to direct Episode IX.
J.J. Abrams also co-wrote the script with Chris Terrio (Justice League, Argo). Star Wars: Episode IX will be produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Abrams, Bad Robot, and Lucasfilm.
Production on Episode IX will begin at the end of July with more cast announcements likely to be revealed before filming starts. Previously set for a May 24, 2019 release date, the film will now arrive on December 20, 2019.
