Star Wars fans indignant about the absence of smooth Rebel ally Lando Calrissian from Chapters VII and VIII of the Star Wars “Sequel” trilogy will finally see a reunion with the popular cape-clad character in 2019’s Episode IX.
Originally reported by The Hollywood Reporter on Monday, the now 81-year-old actor Billy Dee Williams will reprise the beloved supporting role of Calrissian–old friend of Han Solo, initial owner of the Millennium Falcon and subsequent Rebel Alliance General in the Original trilogy’s stand against the Galactic Empire.
The final installment in the franchise’s Sequel trilogy, Star Wars: Episode IX is slated for wide release on Dec. 20, 2019 and thus far includes the recent casting additions of Williams and (seemingly) Keri Russell–the latter in a yet-undisclosed role–as compliments to The Force Awakens (VII, 2015) and The Last Jedi (VIII, 2017) stars Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac.
J.J. Abrams, who co-wrote and directed The Force Awakens, is confirmed to direct the forthcoming feature of the Disney/Lucasfilm franchise, which is currently devoid of an illuminating subtitle (e.g. “A New Hope” or “Revenge of the Sith“).
Each of Williams’ contemporaries in the Original trilogy (1977-83) returned to reprise their landmark roles in their advancing years for the Abrams and Rian Johnson-helmed sequels. And while fans were delighted to reconnect with Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fischer’s Princess/General Leia and Harrison Ford’s Han Solo (plus his loyal first mate, Chewy), many were miffed and puzzled by the complete absence of Williams’ Lando Calrissian from either storyline. (Ford, it should be reminded, was absent from 2017’s Episode VIII: The Last Jedi after reappearing as Solo in 2015’s Episode VII: The Force Awakens.)
Though Lando is locked-in for Episode IX, no details were given on the extent of his role in what will become the ninth installment of the forty-plus-year-old Star Wars saga.
A younger version of the character is currently on display in theaters via the Ron Howard-directed Solo: A Star Wars Story. The standalone…
