How much is this down to the Donald Glover effect?

Billy Dee Williams is returning as Lando Calrissian in Star Wars: Episode IX.

According to he Hollywood Reporter, Williams will be returning to the Star Wars film franchise for the first time since 1983’s Return of the Jedi.

Fans were reintroduced to Lando in Solo: A Star Wars Story earlier this year when he was played by Donald Glover with many saying he was the best thing in the film. Is that what’s prompted director JJ Abrams to being back Lando?

Filiming on Episode IX is expected to begin towards the end of this month. Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver will all be back. They’ll be joined by The Americans actress Keri Russell who is taking on a new character.