Billy Dee Williams Returning For Star Wars Lando Solo Movie?
Is Billy Dee Williams returning to a galaxy far, far away? A recent statement posted to the actor’s X (formerly known as Twitter) account strongly indicates that the Lando Calrissian actor will be making an appearance in a future Star Wars project. Unfortunately, the actor didn’t offer any specifics, leaving fans to wonder if his return would be in the form of a solo movie or as part of the upcoming Lando series being developed for Disney+.
The actor’s tweet—or would that be a Xeet?—teased that something “truly magnificent” would be coming soon. Billy Dee Williams described this mystery project as “a dream come true” and something he’s honored to share with his fans.
Williams called on his X subscribers to enable their notifications on his posts, stating, “you don’t want to miss this…” before ending with a version of the classic Star Wars sendoff “May the Force be with you all.”
Billy Dee Williams has reprised his role as lovable rogue Lando Calrissian several times during the Disney era of Star Wars. The actor has lent his voice to several animated specials, such as 2020’s The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special and 2022’s Lego Star Wars Summer Vacation, as well as videogames like 2017’s Star Wars: Battlefront II.
The range of different Star Wars projects that Billy Dee has been involved with indicates that when it comes to Lando Calrissian, Williams is up for anything.
The 86-year-old’s most prominent Star Wars role post-Disney acquisition of Lucasfilm was in Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, where his performance was considered one of the few bright spots in what is generally regarded as one of the worst movies in the franchise.
The range of different Star Wars projects that Billy Dee has been involved with indicates that when it comes to Lando Calrissian, Williams is up for anything. It’s the Batman actor’s willingness to reprise his role no matter the project that makes it difficult to pinpoint just what he’s hinting at in his post. While the most obvious guess would be that Williams is coming back for the upcoming Lando series, it’s hardly the only thing the star could be referring to.
The Lando Series
For one thing, the upcoming Lando series is rumored to be starring Donald Glover as the younger Calrissian we saw in Solo. It’s possible that Lando could be a series of flashbacks starring Glover with present-day Billy Dee Williams offering commentary, but that doesn’t seem to fit the sentiment “on all that has sustained and carried me through a lifetime of dreams and adventure,” included in the actor’s statement.
Even more likely could be that Williams is teasing a lead role in the upcoming Rey movie.
If Billy Dee’s statement is meant to be taken at face value and not hyperbole, it would seem to hint at something bigger. As in a bigger screen, perhaps?
Lando Calrissian just happens to be the only main character—other than Chewbacca—to survive the sequel trilogy. With Disney expressing a desire to return Star Wars to theaters after a brief hiatus following Rise of Skywalker, it’s possible the company may have plans for a Lando solo movie starring Billy Dee Williams. Even more likely could be that Williams is teasing a lead role in the upcoming Rey movie.
It’s no secret that there is still a divide in the fandom over Disney’s Star Wars sequel trilogy. A movie where Billy Dee Williams as Lando joins Daisy Riddley’s Rey on an adventure would go a long way toward bridging the gap between old-school Star Wars fans and younger post-Disney fans.
We just hope that whatever project Billy Dee is teasing includes Lando’s criminally underused bestie, Lobot, as well.
