This Deal Is Getting Better All The Time. Billy Dee Williams Returns In Star Wars:Episode IX!

Hello nerds!

While Star Wars:Episode IX is unlikely to include Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa or Han Solo, one beloved character from the original trilogy is finally coming back to help save the day. Lando Calrissian is returning for the closing chapter to the "Skywalker saga". So. Much. YAY! 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Billy Dee Williams is set to play the great Lando Calrissian, in live-action, in the JJ Abrams helmed Episode IX. Billy Dee Williams appeared as the handsome fan-favorite in 1980's The Empire Strikes Back and again in 1983's Return of the Jedi, so it's about fucking time one of the universe's more intriguing characters returned to the live-action movies. Over the years, Billy Dee has voiced Lando in the Star Wars: Battlefront serie and Star Wars Rebels.

Production is expected to start later this summer with Williams joining Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Lupita N'yong'o, Anthony Daniels, Jimmy Vee and Joonas Suotamo. Keri Russell is also joining the cast in an unspecified role, but given what we know about it, she'll be quite the badass. Seeing all those folks with Lando smack dab in the middle of the fight makes me smile. Oh so very much.

With immense popularity of the dashing and super-charming smuggler/gambler, his return has been a matter of "when" and not "if". Plus, Lando answering Leia's distress call was further cemented by the fantastic performance Donald Glover put on as young Lando in Solo:A Star Wars Story. 

As for me, I can't wait to see Lando back aboard the Falcon. How about you?

Star Wars: Episode IX hits theaters on December 20, 2019.