Mark Hamill Welcomes Back Billy Dee Williams To The Star Wars Franchise

Star Wars: Episode IX just began production yesterday, and Lucasfilm decided to kick it off by announcing the film's full cast that included a few surprises and a few fan-favorite Star Wars characters like Billy Dee William's ever slick and ever suave Lando Calrissian.

Now, taking time to welcome Williams back to the fold, Star Wars legend Mark Hamill has taken to social media to talk about the actor's return to the galaxy far, far away.

Noting that he was happy to finally see Williams make his "long overdue" return, Hamill goes on to say that he's only got 17 more months of fielding spoiler-filled question with "no comment" responses.

Hamill is right in many ways – Williams' return to the Star Wars franchise is long overdue. Lando has long since been a favorite character ever since he first flicked his cape inStar Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, and a lot of fans were expecting him to return along with the rest of the original trilogy characters in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Of course, it's better late than never. Fans are more than excited to see Lando make his way back to the big screen after all these years, though it remains a mystery how the smuggler might weave his way into the story of Episode IX.

Star Wars: Episode IX hits cinemas in December 20, 2019.

Read: Star Wars: Samuel L. Jackson Would Love To Return As Mace Windu