Star Wars Last Jedi director SPEAKS on rumoured Billy Dee Williams Lando Calrissian return

Two years ago saw Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill return to their starring roles in Star Wars: The Force Awakens after a three decade gap, but what about Billy Dee Williams?

To be fair the actor didn’t turn up as Lando Calrissian until the second outing of the original trilogy, The Empire Strikes Back.

With this in mind Star Wars fans have been wondering if the 80-year-old would be returning for The Last Jedi.

Now director Rian Johnson has had the final word, confirming that Lando does not appear and gave his reason why.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, he said: “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.”

Nevertheless Billy’s manager has stated: “Billy respects the studio and all involved in the decision but would be happy to be in any future Star Wars film if asked.”

So perhaps there is hope for at least a cameo in Star Wars: Episode IX?

Director Ron Howard has since teased the younger incarnation with a photo of himself by a monitor featuring Glover as Lando.

Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi will be released in UK cinemas on December 14, 2017, while Solo: A Star Wars Story will follow on May 25, 2018.