A first look photo of Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) was revealed during the Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker panel at Star Wars Celebration 2019. It was confirmed some time ago that the character would finally return to the Star Wars franchise, though there were also reports that the role would be a minor one.
The character of Lando originally appeared in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back as an old friend of Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and quickly became a fan favorite. While he was somewhat antagonistic in that film, Lando returns as a full fledged hero and general in the resistance in the following film, Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi. Star Wars IX will see Williams come back to the role for the first time in decades, though now fans can finally get a first look at the character’s return.
During the Star Wars IX panel at Star Wars Celebration 2019, Williams talked a little about his role in the upcoming film and a first look image was revealed. While it’s not entirely clear the context of the image, the character’s wardrobe appears quite similar to the outfits wore by Donald Glover in the Solo film. Take a look at the image below.
Judging by some other information revealed at the panel, as well as the first trailer Star Wars 9 (which revealed the title to be The Rise of Skywalker) it seems that Lando will act as something of a helper for the main cast as they go on their final adventure (director J.J. Abrams promises that it’ll be a united adventure). How extensive a help he’ll be remains to be seen, though the trailer did reveal that he’ll seemingly fly the Millennium Falcon one last time, much as he did in the original trilogy.
While it’ll certainly warm the hearts of fans to see Williams in the role again, some might be wondering if he’ll go out the same way Han Solo and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) did in the previous two films. Of course, there’s nothing inherently wrong with a fitting death for an older character, but some fans certainly didn’t like the way the two former characters were unceremoniously killed off, especially Luke in Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi. Whether Abrams embraces that or subverts that expectation remains to be seen, but the fact that Williams is returning at all for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and the final installment in the Skywalker Saga is a remarkable thing in and of itself.
More: Star Wars: 26 Things Only True Fans Know About Lando Calrissian
Source: Disney
- Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker Release Date: 2019-12-20
