Billy Dee Williams Will Reportedly Make His Return To “Star Wars” After 35-Year Hiatus

Don’t call it a comeback — Billy Dee Williams is making his return to the silver screen.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the 80s heartthrob will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian in the next installment in the Star Wars film franchise titled, “Star Wars: Episode IX.”

Ironically, the legendary actor’s decision to revive the popular 80s character — which will be his first appearance in a “Stars Wars” film since 1983’s “Return of the Jedi” — follows his previous thoughts regarding his interest to reunite on screen with the “Star Wars” brand.

“Yeah, if that’s what they want me to do I would be very happy to do it – as an old man [laughs],” he said during a 2016 interview with HuffPost. “But I don’t know if anybody could bring the kind of quality that I brought to any of those characters I’ve played.”

“It’s only because, I’m not a person who thinks in terms of ethnicity. I think in terms of bringing what is very special about my point of view as an individual. And I think that’s probably why those characters worked in a certain way,” he added.

Earlier this year, Williams offered high praise to Donald Glover for delivering his performance as a younger Lando Calrissian in “Solo: A Star Wars Story.”

“Star Wars: Episode IX” is set to open in theaters on Dec. 20, 2019, with production for beginning later this summer.