Billy Dee Williams to return as Lando Calrissian in Star Wars: Episode IXJuly 10 (AZINS) Veteran actor Billy Dee Williams is set to return to the galaxy far far away as Lando Calrissian in "Star Wars: Episode IX".

Sources confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter, the 81-year-old actor, who famously played the galactic gambler Calrissian, will make a comeback to the sci-fi franchise.

His last appearance in a "Star Wars" film was 1983's "Return of the Jedi".

Rumours about Williams joining the production caught steam after he exited an upcoming sci-fi and pop culture convention citing a conflict with a shooting schedule.

Over the years, Williams has slipping in and out of the cape by lending his voice to Calrissian's character in various cartoon series and video games.

One of the popular characters in the franchise, Calrissian made his debut in 1980's "Empire Strikes Back". Recently, Donald Glover was roped in to play a younger Calrissian in "Solo: A Star Wars Story".

Production on "Episode IX" is set to begin later this summer.