Ever since Disney’s Star Wars trilogy was first announced, fans have been feverish in their hopes of an appearance from OG hero Lando Calrissian. And though we’re usually not the gambling type, the odds of actor Billy Dee Williams appearing in Star Wars: Episode IX just got that little bit higher.
The actor’s been a regular on the convention circuit for the best part of thirty years now, but had to cancel an upcoming appearance recently, which makes for very interesting timing. The Saskatchewan Entertainment Expo announced the following in regards to Williams pulling out:
“We’ve got some sad news for you all today. Due to a film schedule conflict, Billy Dee Williams will not be able to appear at [the Saskatchewan Entertainment Expo] this year. He sends his regrets, and hopes to make it up to his Saskatchewan fans in 2019.”
Film schedule conflict, eh? Hmm, I wonder what’s in production in September?
Though this is all just speculation for now, Lando would certainly be a welcome addition to the cast of J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode IX. With Han Solo gone, Luke Skywalker vanished and presumably now a Force Ghost and Princess Leia actress Carrie Fisher tragically passing away before filming commenced, there’s a call for an Original Trilogy hero to make a comeback.
Of course, Lando was popular enough already, based on his scoundrel-turned-hero character arc in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, but Donald Glover’s turn (not to mention his capes) in Solo: A Star Wars Story propelled him into the outer regions.
With calls for a Lando spinoff drowning out the calls for a Solo sequel, it would make good business sense to get the character on side now. Just don’t let him near a deck of cards.
