Billy Dee Williams will return as Lando Calrissian in Episode IX
Looks like the coolest man in the galaxy will return to the Star Wars universe once more. According to THR, actor Billy Dee Williams will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian in the upcoming installment of the sequel trilogy. Audiences were recently wowed by Donald Glover’s portrayal of the suave charismatic character in this summer’s Star Wars standalone film Solo: A Star Wars Story and it would seem that Lucasfilm is intent on continuing the gambler’s story.
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THR reports:
Chatter about Williams joining the production, which is set to begin later this summer, increased in recent days when the actor bowed out of an upcoming sci-fi and pop culture convention citing a conflict with a movie schedule. Sources confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that Williams will indeed be returning to the Star Wars film franchise for the first time since 1983’s Return of the Jedi. The Lando Calrissian character made his suave debut in 1980’s Empire Strikes Back.
Episode IX is being directed by J.J. Abrams and will reunite Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver, among others. Keri Russell is one of the new additions to the cast. The film is set to open Dec. 20, 2019.