Billy Dee Williams recounted his meeting with J. J. Abrams to discuss Lando Calrissian’s return in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Over three decades after he last portrayed Lando Calrissian in Return of the Jedi, Billy Dee Williams reprised his iconic role for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Directed by J. J. Abrams, The Rise of Skywalker marked Billy Dee Williams’ sole appearance in the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
During an interview with GQ, Billy Dee Williams recounted his meeting with J. J. Abrams to discuss Lando’s return in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. As Billy De Williams explained, he wanted to work with J. J. Abrams and praised the filmmaker for being a “a sensational human being”:
“J.J. called me and I went down to his office. We were going to meet at my house, but I decided that I wanted to go and meet him at his office. And so we just sat and talked, and he told me that he wanted me to participate in this third trilogy. And I just chuckled and said, “Sure. Of course.”
Certainly [I wanted] an opportunity to work with J.J., because he is a sensational human being. He’s great to work with when he’s out there. His brain just continues. Never stops. And so you never have an opportunity to really slow down. You just keep building the momentum.”
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Here is the official synopsis for J. J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker:
Lucasfilm and director J. J. Abrams join forces once again to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the riveting conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, where new legends will be born and the final battle for freedom is yet to come.
Directed by J. J. Abrams, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker stars Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, Billie Lourd, Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant, Keri Russell, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Ian McDiarmid, and Billy Dee Williams. Carrie Fisher will appear as General Leia Organa through the use of previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will be released in theaters on December 19, 2019.
Source: GQ