We always hoped Billy Dee Williams would find himself back in the big screen Star Wars saga. Happily, it’s just been announced that the actor is returning for Star Wars: Episode IX to reprise his role as Lando Calrissian.
His involvement had been rumoured this week, what with Williams cancelling an appearance at an upcoming sci-fi fan convention, citing film scheduling conflicts. Now THR has revealed that its sources have confirmed that the rumours were in fact true.
Williams first joined the galaxy far, far away in 1983, when former smuggler Lando Calrissian made his debut in Return Of The Jedi. Since then, the actor has continued to be involved with Star Wars, lending his voice to different spin-off animated series and video games.
This casting news follows some other recent casting news that the brilliant Keri Russell has also joined the film’s ensemble. However, her role is still unconfirmed.
Star Wars: Episode IX currently does not have an official subtitle, and will be the last film in the new trilogy started in 2015. It is being directed by JJ Abrams and will star Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver.
Star Wars: Episode IX is in cinemas from 20 December 2019. Get all the latest sci-fi news with every issue of SciFiNow.