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Billy Dee Williams is returning to Star Wars!

The 81-year-old actor will be reprising his role as galactic gambler Lando Calrissian in the upcoming Star Was: Episode IX, according to THR.

Billy Dee previously portrayed Lando in 1980′s Empire Strikes Back and 1983’s Return of the Jedi.

Rumors about Billy Dee‘s return to the Star Wars galaxy have increased in recent days when the actor bowed out of an upcoming sci-fi convention due to a conflict with a movie schedule.

In recent years, Billy Dee has been involved in the franchise, voicing Lando in various cartoon series and video games.

A younger version of Billy Dee‘s character Lando was also featured in this year’s Solo: A Star Wars Story, played by Donald Glover.

Star Wars: Episode IX is set to hit theaters Dec. 20, 2019.

Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill pose for a cute photo with Peter Mayhew while reuniting at the 2017 Star Wars Celebration on Thursday afternoon (April 13) at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

The actors played the roles of Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Chewbacca, respectively, in the film franchise.

Also in attendance for the “40 Years of Star Wars” panel were Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), and Warwick Davis (Wicket), along with director George Lucas and producer Kathleen Kennedy.

Carrie Fisher‘s daughter Billie Lourd made an appearance for the panel’s finale to pay tribute to her late mother. Legendary composer John Williams conducted the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra while they played “Leia’s Theme” during the touching moment.

The upcoming television remake of the classic movie Dirty Dancing is set to air next month and ABC just released a massive gallery of 200 stills from the film!

Abigail Breslin is starring as Baby while Colt Prattes is taking on the role of Johnny Castle. These characters were played by Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze in the original 1987 movie.

Can you believe it has been 30 years since the film was released?!

Also starring in the upcoming made for television movie are Sarah Hyland as Lisa Houseman, Katey Sagal as Vivian Pressman, Nicole Scherzinger as Penny Rivera, Bruce Greenwood as Dr. Jake Houseman, Debra Messing as Marjorie Houseman, Billy Dee Williams as Tito, Shane Harper as Robbie Gould, Trevor Einhorn as Neil Kellerman, Casper Smart as Billy Kotsecki, and J. Quinton Johnson as Marco.

Make sure to click through the photos to see over 20 stills from the famous lift scene in the lake!

Dirty Dancing is set to air on Wednesday, May 24 at 8pm on ABC.

Donald Glover is getting ready to play Lando Calrissian in the upcoming Star Wars young Han Solo flick so he went straight to the source to get filled in on the character.

The 33-year-old actor and musician secretly met up with the original Lando, Billy Dee Williams, to talk about the role before he began shooting.

“He had questions about [Lando]. I guess he was doing what normal actors do, they just want to find out what direction they want to take so they gather their information. So, we just sat and talked, and I didn’t want to impose on anything he wanted to do – he’s got his own ideas, I would imagine…He’s a very talented young man,” Billy Dee told THR.

He added, “Donald is eclectic, I think that’s really important particularly for the character of Lando. He is particularly eclectic in the way he approaches his art.”

Although Donald will now be taking on the role, Billy Dee added that he is open to appearing in future Star Wars films, as he will always identify with the character.

“To me, I guess what it is that I identify so much with Lando. I mean, Lando has been very much a part of my life for over 30 years…I just never thought of anybody else being Lando. I just see myself as Lando,” he said.

The cast and crew of the iconic Star Wars saga are mourning the loss of Carrie Fisher, who passed away at age 60.

The late actress’ co-stars including Mark Hamill, who played the role of Luke Skywalker and Billy Dee Williams, who portrayed Lando Calrissian, are speaking out following the news of her death.

“no words #Devastated,” Mark tweeted, along with an old photo with Carrie.

Billy Dee added, “I’m deeply saddened at the news of Carrie‘s passing. She was a dear friend, whom I greatly respected and admired. The force is dark today!”

Director Steven Spielberg added, “I have always stood in awe of Carrie. Her observations always made me laugh and gasp at the same time. She didn’t need The Force. She was a force of nature, of loyalty and of friendship. I will miss her very much.”

Others including Peter Mayhew, Anthony Daniels and director Colin Trevorrow have taken to Twitter to express their condolences.

Click inside to see what other Star Wars actors had to say about Carrie’s passing…
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