With all the love for Lando coming out around the Han Solo movie (opens in new tab), you might have hoped to see the charismatic scoundrel/mayor/Rebel hero appear in Star Wars: The Last Jedi (opens in new tab) as well. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case: actor Billy Dee Williams confirmed that he will not appear in the upcoming Star Wars film during his panel at Star Wars Celebration Orlando 2017 (opens in new tab), as reported by IGN (opens in new tab).
Well, technically, Lando could still show up as played by somebody else, potentially even as a Rogue One (opens in new tab)-style CGI character. But it would be kind of a dick move to invite Williams out to Celebration and everything then snub him for a role in the new movie, so that’s probably not the case. Sounds like the next time we see Mr. Calrissian it’ll be in the Han Solo movie, where he’s a few decades younger and played by Donald Glover. That film is set to debut in May 2018.
Lucasfilm has confirmed that the late Carrie Fisher will not appear Star Wars 9 (opens in new tab), which could leave the new movie with a dearth of old-trilogy talent. Maybe good ol’ Lando will show up at the last minute and save the day once more.
Directed by Rian Johnson and starring Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Carrie Fisher, Laura Dern, Benicio Del Toro, and more, Star Wars: The Last Jedi hits theaters on December 15, 2017.
Stay tuned to our recap page for all the news from Star Wars Celebration Orlando 2017 (opens in new tab) as it happens and check out the 10 questions we have after watching Star Wars: The Last Jedi’s trailer (opens in new tab).
Images: Lucasfilm