John Boyega & Billy Dee Williams Help Announce ‘Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise Of Skywalker’ [TRAILER]

John Boyega And Billy Dee Williams Help Announce ‘Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise Of Skywalker’ + Teaser Trailer [VIDEO]

The highly-anticipated first look at the latest entry in the Star Wars franchise has finally arrived—and the return of legendary actor Billy Dee Williams, as well as actor John Boyega, has fans in a frenzy.

While at a recent Star Wars celebration in Chicago, event emcee Stephen Colbert along with director J.J. Abrams and Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy, officially unveiled the first look at Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker. However, arguably the biggest news of the day was the return of Billy Dee Williams in the role of Lando Calrissian, which he originated back in the 1983 film Return of the Jedi.

05/10/2018 – Billy Dee Williams – Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm’s “Solo: A Star Wars Story” World Premiere

According to reports, when Williams walked on stage, there was a massive cheering from the audience, happy to see him return to the popular film franchise for the first time over 30 years. Upon his arrival, Williams simply said, “Lando never left me.”

Of Williams return, the film’s director Abrams said:

“Billy came on to the set … and it just went silent. Everyone was watching. It was so sweet to see the reaction from the people who were working on the movie. Honestly it was an emotional thing.”

Another one of the Episode IX’s stars is John Boyega, who discussed a rumored potential rematch with nemesis Phasma and if his character will finally get closure from his past:

“Emotional closure, sure. I don’t think about her at night and stuff. But I definitely feel there’s some form of closure within who he identifies with. Who is family? What is love? What is friendship? But Phasma? She dead.”

03/21/2018 – John Boyega – Universal’s “Pacific Rim: Uprising” Los Angeles Premiere

Speaking of what fans can expect from the film, Abrams stated:

“This movie, in addition to being the end of three trilogies, it also has to work as its own movie. It’s about this new generation and what they’ve inherited the light and the dark, and asking the question as they face the greatest evil, are they prepared? Are they ready?”

The Rise of Skywalker, also known as Episode IX, will be the final Star Wars film for the foreseeable future as Disney is emphasizing its upcoming streaming service Disney+, which debuts in November, as the home of Star Wars films.

Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker opens Dec. 20^th in theaters nationwide.

Are you excited for Billy Dee Williams’ return to the Star Wars franchise? Let us know in the comments!