It looks like the most suave galactic gambler in this side of the galaxy will have more LEGO minifigs under his belt. Thanks to a confirmed report from The Hollywood Reporter, it was reported earlier this week that veteran actor Billy Dee Williams will be reprising his role as Lando Calrissian for the yet to be titled, Star Wars: Episode IX.
According to THR, Billy Dee Williams is reported to return to his most famous role that etched the name of Lando in the hearts of any true-blue Star Wars fan. Williams’ return to the big screen is a sort of a refresher, considering how the first two films from the modern trilogy, The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, practically ended the Skywalker’s saga with the death of Han Solo and Luke Skywalker respectively. Coupled with the untimely death of Carrie Fisher who played the role of Princess Leia, Lando’s return to this post-Skywalker Star Wars era is like a breath of fresh, nostalgic air.
Undoubtedly, LEGO already has worked out several upcoming LEGO Star Wars Episode IX sets that are due for release in time of the film’s debut on December 20, 2019. And it’s no speculation to consider that a Star Wars character as famous as Lando Calrissian will once more have the LEGO minifigure treatment. If you recall, LEGO opted to include two LEGO Star Wars sets that include Han Solo during his twilight years in The Force Awakens. Specifically, the Millennium Falcon (75105) and Rathtar Escape (75180) sets both included an aged Han Solo as we see him before his death in TFA. It is not a longshot to consider that somewhere along the LEGO pipeline, LEGO also has something in the works that will include 1 or 2 sets highlighting the seasoned Lando.
As of to date, the latest LEGO Star Wars set to include Lando as a minifigure is the Han Solo set Kessel Run Millennium Falcon (75212) released earlier this year. There is also a rumored re-release of the LEGO Star Wars Cloud City set which might also include another Lando Calrissian minifigure, though LEGO is still yet to confirm this.
We still have no idea what Star Wars Episode IX has in store, and we have to leave it to our imaginations to consider what LEGO has in the works for any tie-in sets. For now, since more and more news of the film’s cast is being revealed and Billy Dee Williams is sure to return as Lando, the LEGO Star Wars landscape is sure to be better. Star Wars: Episode IX is scheduled to be released on December 20, 2019. For the latest LEGO Star Wars sets out there, be sure to check shop.LEGO.com.
Episode 8 hasn’t started filming yet. I doubt any Ep. 8 Lego sets are beyond the beginning steps of the concept stage.