:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45676410/lando-calrissian-and-harrison-ford-han-solo-in-star-wars-the-empire-strikes-back-1645431026.0.0.jpg)
Lando Calrissian could return in the new Star Wars films, actor Billy Dee Williams said in an interview with Cinelinx.
Though Williams declined to get into details, he said he’s aware of the disappointment some fans expressed when he wasn’t among the cast announced for Star Wars: The Force Awakens last April. Although several original trilogy actors are returning to the franchise, that doesn’t preclude Calrissian’s appearance in the new trilogy, which the actor hinted at in a coy response.
"Yeah, people were pretty upset about it," Williams said. "But I uh … I may very well … I have a feeling I’m going to show up. There’s nothing I can really discuss about it at this stage."
Williams’ character, Han Solo's old pal and the suave former owner of the Millennium Falcon, joined the cast in The Empire Strikes Back, the second film of the original trilogy, and followed the main cast into Return of the Jedi. Long before the new trilogy was a thing, Lando appeared in the now-Legendary Expanded Universe stories, including author Timothy Zahn’s Thrawn Trilogy. More recently, Williams reprised his role in an episode of the new animated series Star Wars Rebels.
When could Williams return as Calrissian? Well, as the actor pointed out, the original trilogy sets a precedent.
"People think of me as the original cast," he said, "but I didn’t come in until the second movie. I did Empire and then I did Return of the Jedi, but I came in after everyone else was introduced … So I think they’re probably proceeding in that way.
"I can’t imagine them not bringing Lando back. But we’ll see, I don’t know."
For more on Star Wars: The Force Awakens — including a glimpse at the Millennium Falcon’s new satellite dish that replaces the one Lando broke during Jedi — you can watch the trailer below and join us in uncovering its mysteries.
