Billy Dee Williams is set to reprise the role of Lando Calrissian in 'Star Wars: Episode IX'.



The 81-year-old actor first played the part of the former smuggler in 'The Empire Strikes Back' in 1980 and is now set to return as Lando in the J.J. Abrams-directed sci-fi movie, which is scheduled for release in 2019.



Williams recently bowed out of an upcoming sci-fi convention, citing a conflict with a film schedule as his reason, and The Hollywood Reporter has claimed that his belated withdrawal is linked to his return to the 'Star Wars' movies.



The actor has not appeared in the role of Lando since 1983's 'Return of the Jedi', but Donald Glover recently played a younger version of the character in the much-maligned 'Solo: A Star Wars Story'.



In recent years, Williams has also voiced the part in a number of cartoon series and video games.