Ron Howard’s Solo: A Star Wars Story is now in theaters and it’s put the dashing scoundrel Lando Calrissian back in the public eye. The character, who debuted in Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back and returned in Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, was first brought to life by the equally charming Billy Dee Williams.
Of course, Lando’s best known in Star Wars lore for betraying Han Solo to the evil Galactic Empire. He later makes amends for this misdeed though by helping the Rebel Alliance destroy the Death Star II. Calrissian goes on to have several more adventures in the non-canon Legends continuity, as well, but his role in The Walt Disney Company’s new canon following Return of the Jedi is practically non-existent.
Much to fans’ chagrin, Billy Dee Williams was absent from The Force Awakens and while the actor was apparently waiting for a call from Rian Johnson to secure his role in The Last Jedi, a conversation between the two never came to pass. Not to mention that people upset by a recent lack of Lando were also annoyed to learn that the character was originally intended to be the main focus of the “Master Codebreaker” subplot in Johnson’s movie.
The last chance for Lando to appear in the ongoing Sequel Trilogy then is next year’s Star Wars: Episode IX, its final installment. It seems we should keep our fingers crossed for Calrissian’s inclusion, too, as MegaCon Orlando recently posted the following tweet:
Fun Billy Dee Williams fact: Billy just had his 81st birthday. He’s training 3 times a week with a trainer and has a whole new diet.
Could this mean Lando Calrissian’s original actor is preparing to return to that galaxy far, far away? It certainly sounds like he could be. After all, what other role would the 81-year-old be getting in shape for at this stage? It’d make sense for Lucasfilm to bring him back, too, given the recent surge in popularity the character’s seen thanks to Donald Glover’s portrayal of him in Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Only time will tell, but what do you think? Could Lando show up in Star Wars: Episode IX? Take to the comments section down below and give us your thoughts!
