Billy Dee Williams is strongly rumoured to be returning for a role in 'Star Wars: Episode IX', according to numerous fan sites and outlets.

The actor, who is now 81, played Lando Calrissian in 'The Empire Strikes Back' and 'Return Of The Jedi' and became a fan favourite. Most recently, Donald Glover played the role in 'Solo: A Star Wars Story'. The reports from fan site Fantha Tracks suggest that Williams is now currently undergoing training for the role and with production on 'Episode IX' due to kick off next month, there'll likely be something in the way of official confirmation coming soon.

Although 'Solo: A Star Wars Story' was not the commercial success that Lucasfilm had hoped for, one of the positives gleaned from it was that there was huge interest in seeing Lando Calrissian return in some way to the series. It was rumoured - though never confirmed - that the character was due to have a small role in 'The Force Awakens', but that JJ Abrams opted against it as his presence would be lost among everyone else.

Billy Dee Williams has reprised the role in various videogames and TV series down through the years, most recently for 'Battlefront II' and 'Star Wars Rebels', so he's definitely still interested in the role.

'Star Wars: Episode IX' will arrive in Irish cinemas on December 20th.