Will Lando return in Episode IX?

I think the original plan was to not have Lando return in the sequel trilogy, but with Carrie Fisher gone I believe Disney and Lucasfilm are reconsidering adding another familiar face to generate hype.

The question is though: what will he do? The new canon has established that he returned to Cloud City after the Empire was defeated during the battle of Jakku. Since then, much of his life up until the events of TFA has been kept unexplored. We know that he sent out a message of support to Leia during the Vader scandal in 28 ABY, but that's about it.

Lando is most definitely living in Cloud City, and it seems he isn't part of the Resistance. Really, what's wrong with all the OT-men in the ST? Lando, Luke and Han - they all left Leia and the other women to take care of all the politics and fighting.

In order to make Lando appear in Episode IX, you either have to:
- Have the story take place on Bespin in some way
- Get Lando off Bespin in some way

 

I really hope so!

 

I think you're on to something, but I could see it happening. If Lando is still Lando then it's possible he is silently supporting the Resistance.

 

I've never bought the idea that Lando is somehow not all that important or has no place in the story. The man was a primary agent in the destruction of the second Death Star. He helped get Han Solo back from carbonite. He was at the Ewok hoopla at the end of ROTJ. You don't just disappear after that.

 

There would have to be a REALLY good reason.

 

After viewing the Last Jedi. I am definitely down for his return in this film.

 

after viewing the Last Jedi, hopefully not, i dont want another legacy character tarnished. stay away Billy Dee! Like Hamill probably should have (and essentially admitted to, before the Disney Hammer came down on him for expressing the comments)

 

It would make sense if he was one of the "allies" mentioned in TLJ.

 

I don't think either of those are necessary. If we have a time skip (which we most likely will), they just set it up as Lando joining the Resistence in that time. Or he can show up to Leia's funeral.

 

It's not a matter of should he, or if he deserves to. He won't. I hope I'm wrong. It would be cool if he was one of the holdouts that didn't come to Crait (he was always a bit of a coward at first until he got his feet wet and realized how bad the situation was)

 

Unless there are external factors (like... Idunno... Billy Dee being difficult and demanding insane fees or having lost his acting ability or whatever -- which for the record I have no reason to assume is the case), I think it is pretty much given that Lando will at least be considered for a return in IX. Not only could he fill the slot of Outer-Rim-authorities-who-eventually-answers-Leia's-call-to-arms perfectly, his star is also about to float back in the public consciousness again now that the Solo film coming. I think JJ will definitely consider bringing Billy Dee in as an anchor and link to the OT, to carry the torch alongside C3P0, R2-D2, and Chewbacca (and ghost-Luke of course) to support the new heroes. I think Rian pretty much opened the door for Lando.

 

Haven’t seen TLJ yet but I’ve heard that at the end,

Spoiler: TLJ ending

they are all united and heading for the outer rim.

True? And Bespin is in the outer rim?

 

I... forgot to be spoiler-wary in my last post; sorry about that. You do ask for spoilers though, Darth Fink, and I'll answer as vaguely as possible...

Spoiler

By the end of TLJ, the Resistance is looking for refuge in the Outer Rim, yes.

As for Bespin, that world lies in the Anoat system, which is in the Outher Rim (the southern reaches), yes.

 

Thanks. I’m 98% spoiled. (I had to edit and add a spoiler tag myself.) TLJ really sets up some awesome possibilities for IX, Lando being one of them.

 

I voted No, not because I don't want him (I do!) but I don't think it will happen. I remember hearing or reading (I'll try to look for a source) that Billy Dee is not in the best health right now and because of that he hasn't done much work in the last few years. I remember the person or article that said this mentioned him having to leave Dancing with the Stars early due to poor health.

 

With Carrie passed on, I could see them opening the next film with a funeral for Leia. This would be the perfect time to reintroduce Lando. Leia was obviously going to be a centerpiece of ep IX, maybe they could use Lando to salvage their original plans. I wouldn't surprised in the least if Lando teamed up with the resistance... Especially after hearing about what Kylo did to Han.

 

Yeah, I could see that happening, but like @Leo626 pointed out: Williams hasn't been in too many films/shows recently. Still, the optimist in me hopes that we'll see the grand return of Lando Calrissian to help the struggling Resistance fight to restore peace and freedom in the galaxy in Episode 9.

 

probably his health wont allow it, that's why i voted no