Billy Dee Williams returning to play Lando in Star Wars: Episode IX, report says

Billy Dee Williams returning to play Lando in Star Wars: Episode IX, report says

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Break out the cape. Lando’s back.

After a 35-year absence, Billy Dee Williams is returning to the galaxy far far away for Star Wars: Episode IX, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The 81-year-old actor, of course, will reprise his role as the smooth-talking, cape-wearing, not completely trustworthy original captain of the Millennium Falcon, Lando Calrissian.

Making his debut in 1980′s “The Empire Strikes Back,” the character was last seen blowing up the Death Star II for the Rebellion at the end of “Return of the Jedi” in 1983. Donald Glover played a younger version of Lando in “Solo: A Star Wars Story” earlier this year.

It isn’t known yet how many legacy characters will be joining Williams, but Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker’s Force ghost, Anthony Daniels are probably good bets as is Chewbacca, though the Wookiee is now played by Joonas Suotamo.

“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” stars Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac and franchise newcomer Keri Russell (“The Americans”)are on board for the film, said to be the last in the Skywalker saga. The film is scheduled to be released on December 20, 2019.

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” director J.J. Abrams returns to direct the final chapter of the sequel trilogy he started.