MOVIE NEWS – Kathleen Kennedy wants to explore new characters and new worlds in the Star Wars universe, and original Lando Calrissian, Billy Dee Williams, is backing her decision.

Star Wars star Billy Dee Williams agrees with Kathleen Kennedy that it’s time to explore new territory in the franchise. Kennedy recently explained that the future of the Star Wars films would lie in exploring entirely new characters and worlds, leaving behind the Skywalker saga and its associated story threads. He also said that Lucasfilm would not be remaking old characters with younger actors in the roles after Solo: A Star Wars Story underperformed at the box office.

This may mean that Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and the rest won’t be returning to the big screen anytime soon, but it’s probably for the best for Williams.

TMZ reports that the actor, who plays Lando Calrissian, spoke about Kennedy’s comments and how the Star Wars films plan to create new story threads from scratch with original characters. Billy Dee Williams explained that nothing lasts forever, and after decades with these beloved characters that fans have come to know well, perhaps it’s time to retire them so the franchise can continue to spread its wings.

“I don’t care. No, why should I care? Well, (the fans) got all those other movies to look at. I don’t know. There comes a moment in life when, you know, things exist, and then they expire. Nothing lasts forever, that’s for sure.”

Billy Dee Williams had this to add for fans who were outraged that Darth Vader and other favourites could be left in the past.

“You’ll get over it.”

 

Billy Dee Williams could return in future Star Wars films

Longtime Star Wars fans love the classic characters, as evidenced by the popularity of the new series, Obi-Wan Kenobi. But it’s worth noting that fans will welcome new productions featuring the original characters as long as the writing remains of a high standard. Mandalorian proved a resounding success when it debuted on Disney+, with many fans stating that they enjoyed the series more than the recent Star Wars films.

Thanks to its continued success, The Mandalorian is already planning a third season.

Perhaps some characters will still have a place on the small screen. Although Kathleen Kennedy has said that Lucasfilm will move on from reprising classic characters, she also revealed that she wouldn’t completely rule out a Lando series for Disney+, with Donald Glover reprising the role. Glover previously took over the baton from Billy Dee Williams in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Kennedy explained to GamesRadar:

“I never say never. It’s certainly not something that we’re doing with any intention right now. We’re still talking about Lando with Donald Glover, for instance, but I don’t think we would intentionally just look back at some of the characters like Luke and Leia and whatnot and decide arbitrarily to do a story. There would have to be a really strong reason why.”

In any case, there will be no shortage of Star Wars content in the future, both on the big and small screen, regardless of who the main characters are.

Source: TMZ