One of the biggest mysteries that have had Star Wars fans puzzled will finally be answered next year within Episode IX. Where the hell is Lando Calrissian during the events of the new sequel trilogy and why has he not yet been at least mentioned? JJ Abrams brought back Han Solo for The Force Awakens and now thanks to The Hollywood Reporter, we now know that he will be bringing back Calrissian for IX. The site is reporting that Billy Dee Williams will, of course, reprise the role of the suave gambler making it the first time he has been in a live-action Star Wars project since 1983.

Though his last film appearance was in Return of the Jedi, Williams never really abandoned the role having returned to voice Calrissian in other projects. Whether it is voicing Calrissian in something absurd like Adult Swim’s Robot Chicken or something more dramatic like Lucasfilm’s Star Wars Rebels– Williams has always owned the role. This news comes in great timing after the release of Solo: A Star Wars Story. Donald Glover played a younger version of Calrissian and now old and new fans alike cannot seem to get enough of the character.  

Rumors of Williams returning for IX have been present for months, but the casting gained steam within the past few days when Williams had to bow out of a convention due to conflicts with a filming schedule. The Hollywood Reporter is confirming that this is for the end of the current Star Wars trilogy. Calrissian’s role in the film is still top secret, but one already popular theory is that he comes to the aid of the resistance after receiving the galactic transmission sent by general Leia at the conclusion of The Last Jedi.

How excited are you to see Williams finally return to a live-action Star Wars project? What do you think will be the explanation for Calrissian’s absence in the saga thus far? Let us know your thoughts on our social media and stay tuned for more updates on Episode IX!

Source: THR