Billy Dee Williams Is Getting into Shape with a Workout and New Diet

81 and training? Be careful there!

 

This is encouraging. I've been really hoping that they would bring Lando into the ST. *fingers crossed*

 

Special diet does not surprise me too much for a wealthy 81-year-old, but training three times a week seems very overkill at that age to suddenly start doing that. I didn't think he would have involvement in Ep 9 but this definitely points towards it, as they are about to begin shooting any week now.

 

They are supposed to start shooting sometime in July

 

That's gooood news!!

 

Lando could replace Leia. At least for a small amount of screen time. TLJ would have been the best possibilty to include Lando though. But I take what I get. The ST without Lando would just feel wrong.

 

Not really sure how I feel about it. Never been to much of a fan of Lando, but that's not really relevant. I've never cared too much for Luke until TLJ, when I finally saw a SW character I can identify with on some level. I fear that Lando will be present on screen and he won't really do much, like it was the case with Leia in VII. Lando's role, at least in my opinion, has ended with The Empire Strikes Back. I know that originally he was meant to serve as a replacement for Han in RotJ if Harrison Ford hadn't extended his contract. As we al know Han appeared in VI and this is felt very strongly in the film - Lando just appears on screen without making any real impact on the story. I worry this might also be the case with IX.

 

JJ listens to the fans... where is Lando? Or is he just prepping Lando to die as well in 9? I think JJ is better than that... He knows what the fans want and he will deliver.
I'm just being realistic here. I liked TLJ because RJ didn't give us what we all wanted. Watch the documentary, The Director and the Jedi, just maybe you'll understand why the cast and crew especially KK loved RJ and gave him a new trilogy.

My point is JJ is the rehash King according to some Star Wars fans (Lando was prominent in ROTJ. he might make an appearance in 9, these films rhyme) and with all the backlash of TLJ, JJ will be the savior. He hates the PT like most Star Wars fans so he will want to deliver.

Anywho, I'm remaining optimistic that Lando will be in 9 since he is the only one left from OT.

 

I enjoyed TLJ, but thought RJ missed an easy opportunity for a quick cameo for BDW as the “master code breaker” Finn & Rose were originally looking for. Would have been simple for all involved and wouldn’t have required much, if any, explanation. Last time I saw BDW, sadly he looked his age.

 

JJ never said he hated the PT.
He said his kids love them, but that the OT was more his Star Wars.

 

I started a thread about this awhile back, that Lando could “solve the Leia problem.” I think it’s in the TLJ forum.

Bringing back BDW makes sense for so many reasons: the actor clearly wants to return, fans have been wanting him to reappear, JJ loves this kind of easy fan service, and with Leia gone, Lando can serve as Rebellion leader/advisor/financier/hideout provider/Ben Solo challenger (we don’t know how much Lando was around during Ben’s childhood...he could have been an uncle type, and Lando could, at the very least give Rey some insight into who Ben really is).

Lando is literally the last OT character they can insert into EIX and it be impactful

Honestly, I think they owe it to BDW & the character to give him a respectful send off (which is more than Ackbar got). Nien Nub has been in 7 & 8, I hope they bring Lando back for 9 and use him well for the Rebellion, Rey’s advantage, or both.

They have the forces of good in such a deep hole, they would be negligent not to use him.

Though, given the first two ST movies....

 

Good to know he's getting prepared should he get a call from JJ.

 

I hope it comes up more comprehensive than

Spoiler: spoiler

SOLO

did

 

I’m afraid E9 will be as much of a lazy fan service checklist as TFA & Solo are.

RO has someone the best fan service elements ever, not just in SW. JJ is really good at recognizing what is beloved by fans and why, like the gunnery pods on the MF, the golf ball drone from ANH popping up in TFA, Han wearing a blue parka in the snow, the bowcaster, a funny, spunky droid (the butane thumbs up is classic).

That said, JJ goes too hard into nostalgia (Maz’s Castle was a cool idea...making it a Disney version of the old Cantina was a massive mistake that ruins the film, as does making Starkiller base another Deathstar, making the stormtroopers do a Nazi/Roman salute (one of the many ways JJ betrays his contempt for his audiences. Only idiots wouldn’t get the “First Order are Nazis”.


I’m hoping he goes against his history of ignoring questions from previous entries (like knights of Ren), and ties
Things up well in rousing fashion. He’ll have an unlimited budget and a staff like an army, plus 18 months to make it work.

I’m 75% sure he’ll disappoint.

 

Even if it's just a small role, it would be fantastic. As long as it fits in the story well and doesn't come off as fan service. Even if it does though, who am I kidding? I'll take it.

 

Leia has retired to the outer rim and sends Lando to meet Ben at the landing pad to bring him home after Rey rescues him from mad Emperor Hux.

 

I'd be happy to see Williams come back in any capacity! Even just as a cameo.