It’s been a rumour for several weeks, but The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed the news: Billy Dee Williams is set to return as suave gambler and rebel leader Lando Calirssian in Star Wars: Episode IX.
The film will begin production later this summer with J.J. Abrams, who directed Star Wars: The Force Awakens, returning to the director’s chair. Williams will join Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver and new addition Keri Russell in the latest Star Wars film.
This will mark the first time Williams has played Lando in live action since Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in 1983, though he has voiced the character in various media since. He made a cameo as Lando in The LEGO Movie, as well as other LEGO Star Wars movies and games, and reprised his role for Star Wars: Battlefront II and a couple of episodes of Star Wars Rebels.
The character of Lando Calrissian most recently played a significant part in Solo: A Star Wars Story, portrayed by Donald Glover at a time when he was still captain of the Millennium Falcon before losing it to Han Solo. He also had his own adventure novel, Star Wars: Last Shot, detailing some of his adventures after Return of the Jedi.
SEE ALSO: Rumour: Grand Admiral Thrawn to feature in Star Wars: Episode IX?
Star Wars: Episode IX is set for release on December 20th 2019, with filming due to begin later this summer.
