Darth Vader and Lando Calrissian Are Officially Returning to 'Star Wars'
Christmas came early for Star Wars fans last night, when Disney revealed a packed slate of new Star Wars content which will be rolled out over the next few years. In addition to the existing Disney+ hit The Mandalorian and the previously-confirmed spinoff featuring Cassian Andor, the just-announced projects include an Ahsoka Tano series, a show called Rangers of the New Republic, and a Patty Jenkins-helmed movie, Rogue Squadron.
Most excitingly to fans, the news included confirmation that some familiar faces will be making their way back to the live-action Star Wars universe.
Hayden Christensen will be returning to the franchise as Anakin Skywalker (better known as Darth Vader), a role he last played in live-action in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and in the animated Clone Wars series. Christensen will appear in the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series, which stars Ewan McGregor as Anakin's former friend and mentor, and follows his adventures in between the events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope.
Elsewhere in the galaxy of new shows is spinoff series Lando, focusing on fan-favorite character Lando Calrissian. Lando is reportedly in "early development," with Dear White People creator Justin Simien on board as the showrunner.
Lando first appeared in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, played by Billy Dee Williams. Introduced as an old friend of Han Solo, Lando turned on the rebels and handed them over to Darth Vader. (Sorry, spoiler alert for a 40-year-old movie.) Williams reprised the role in Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, in which his character redeemed himself by helping save Han and destroy the Death Star.
He later returned to the franchise in the the sequel trilogy, appearing in last year's Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, as well as the animated series Rebels. A younger version of the character played a major role in the standalone prequel Solo: A Star Wars Story, which (among other plotlines) answered the question of how the Millennium Falcon went from being Lando's ship to Han's. He was portrayed in that movie by actor and musician Donald Glover.
As of right now, next to no details are available about the actual content of the series. We don't know whether it is animated or live-action, or whether it is a prequel or set in the later continuity of the movies. It has also yet to be confirmed if Williams or Glover will be returning, or if a new actor will be playing the titular role. However, a stray line of dialogue in the closing scenes of The Rise of Skywalker indicated that Lando would help new character Jannah find her family—and even hinted that he could be her long-lost father, which creates plenty of dramatic potential for a new show.
You Might Also Like
