‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’: Director Did Not Hear From Billy Dee Williams

While Billy Dee Williams’ legendary portrayal of smuggler Lando Calrissian is a Star Wars fan-favorite, it has been confirmed that not only will he not be appearing in the upcoming installment, but he also never contacted director Rian Johnson about being in the film.

In his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week, Rian Johnson said that he was never approached by Williams about reprising his role in Episode VIII, and if Williams had called he would have shown up:

“No, I haven’t gotten a call. My phone will ring right now if I say yeah.”

Johnson, who already confirmed Lando would not be appearing in the film, reiterated his answer and also noted that while he does have an affinity for the character, the cast was already so large there would not have been room for him in the film:

“Oh no, no, Lando’s not — I love that character so much, but there just wasn’t space for it.”

What do you think, would you have liked to see Lando in the upcoming film? Sound off in the comments below!

In Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past.

Directed by Rian Johnson, The Last Jedi stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern and Benicio Del Toro.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi hits theaters on December 15, 2017.

Source: Jimmy Kimmel Live!