'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Writer Teases Lando's Return

Billy Dee Williams’ name was absent from the cast list for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which left many fans feeling slightly disappointed (I say “slightly” because most of you are still pretty stoked for a new Star Wars movie with or without him). A few months ago, Williams cryptically teased fans about the possible return of his beloved Lando Calrissian character, giving us all a little hope. And now veteran Star Wars writer Lawrence Kasdan is adding to that hope, further teasing Lando’s return.

In a fun interview over at Vanity Fair, Kasdan discusses his involvement with the Star Wars franchise, which began with his screenplays for The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Kasdan returned to the franchise to co-write The Force Awakens with J.J. Abrams, bringing the series full circle, so to speak. Kasdan discusses Star Wars past and present, and what it’s like writing for older versions of Luke, Leia and Han — but there’s also a little nugget of info that you’ll find very interesting at the end:

My son wants to know: Are we ever going to see Lando Calrissian again in a Star Wars movie?
Right now, there’s no Lando Calrissian in this movie. But Lando I don’t think is finished in any way, shape, or form.

So while there’s definitely no Lando Calrissian in The Force Awakens (which we already knew), it seems as though he’s certainly returning for further installments in the franchise — whether his appearance(s) will be in Episode 8 or 9, or both (a spinoff appearance doesn’t seem likely), remains to be seen. But you will see it!

Check out this gallery of amazing original Star Wars concept art: