Between part of ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi‘ taking place in a casino and at least some of the characters mourning the loss from ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens,’ it seems like it would have been an easy fit for Billy Dee Williams to reprise his role as Lando Calrissian. Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be. Williams himself had previously confirmed this though I think all of us were still holding out hope that we’d get a surprise appearance of the character.
Showing up in Canto Bight could have been a fun cameo for the fans or seeing Leia one last time to offer his condolences would have been a perfect fit though according to writer-director Rian Johnson it never was even on their radar to include him.
“No, and I don’t want fans to get their hopes up. He’s not in the film and it was never really something that came up. I mean, I loved that character. It would have been fun to see him, but it’s just not something that ever really had a place in the story.”
I mean outside of the two areas I just mentioned there probably wasn’t really a place for him with all of the new story arcs being weaved together and a focus on Luke Skywalker’s return clearly a priority. Hopefully, we’ll at least have a chance to see him appear one more time on Disney XD’s ‘Star Wars: Rebels’ and possibly even an inclusion in J.J. Abrams’s still untitled ‘Star Wars: Episode IX’.
We already know that Williams would be open to reprising his role as his manager Brad Kramer has stated that “Billy respects the studio and all involved in the decision but would be happy to be in any future Star Wars film if asked.”
Please ask, Mr. Abrams. It would be great to see him with at least Chewbacca for one last heartfelt scene even though he can’t share screen time with Leia or Solo.
Are you sad to hear that we won’t be seeing Lando Calrissian in ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’? Do you feel that we might still have a chance to see him in either ‘Star Wars Rebels’ before it comes to a close or in ‘Star Wars: Episode IX’? Share your thoughts below!
Source: Entertainment Weekly
