As we all know, the new Star Wars franchise is going to need Billy Dee Williams. Without him, the movies will be at least 12% less cool. The good news is that the production knows that. The bad news is that it might not be a possibility.
According to Film Buff, the actor was asked about returning as Lando Calrissian for the new series while attending the Monster Mania Convention, and the response was non-committal. Apparently Williams has been asked to come back but hasn’t decided whether he’ll do so or not.
Like the site wisely points out, his potential pass may have more to do with his age (a timeless 76) than his desire to wear a baby blue cloak again. No matter the reason, it looks like Episode VII may have to suffer through being 12% less charming, but here’s hoping that Williams is willing and able to, at the very least, roll through in cameo capacity. Or that hologram technology gets good enough to put him on film without the actor ever having to visit the set.