Billy Dee Williams Shares Photo Of His Star Wars: Episode IX Training

As Star Wars: Episode IX wraps up the arcs of a few Original Trilogy regulars, J.J. Abrams’ next film will also be reintroducing us to one Landon Calrissian, with Billy Dee Williams set to reprise his role for the first time on the big screen since 1983’s Return of the Jedi.

To stay in shape for the part, Williams has undergone regular physical training, and in a recent social media post, the actor shared a photo and a message suggesting that the 81-year-old is currently in pretty good form, tweeting the following update:

“The force is still strong with this one! Thank you [Dr. Philip Goglia]”

While we probably shouldn’t expect anything too physical from Williams’ performance later this year, it’s still a safe bet that Lando’s role in the upcoming trilogy-closer will go well beyond a quick cameo, seeing how Lucasfilm chose to announce his comeback in advance rather than saving it as a surprise.

As it stands, little is known about the scenes lined up for Williams, but a report from last year at least indicated that he’ll be wearing one of his patented capes, as if there was a chance that the famously nostalgic Abrams would pass on that tradition.

Meanwhile, a prominent rumor that should probably be approached with a fair amount more skepticism is that Naomi Ackie will be playing Lando’s daughter Vera. At the moment, we have little more than unusually persistent hearsay to back up the notion, but at the very least, Lando’s extended absence from the series would certainly give him more than enough time to start a family of his own, and a daughter would be a very on-brand way for the Star Wars films keep the character’s legacy alive.

In any case, we’ll find out what developments await Lando and his fellow Original Trilogy alumni when Star Wars: Episode IX hits theaters on December 20th, 2019.