According to Big Shiny Robot, that old smoothie Lando Calrissian returns to a galaxy far far away for this week’s episode of “Star Wars Rebels,” voiced by none other than Billy Dee Williams himself!
In episode 1.11 of “Star Wars Rebels,” titled “Idiot’s Array,” Zeb inadvertently loses the droid Chopper in a game of Sabacc to well-known gambler Calrissian, and a string of adventures ensue involving the crew of The Ghost and some gangsters. Williams had announced in June of 2014 that he would be part of the project, following a non-canonical cameo in The LEGO Movie.
Twitter users Tim Veekhoven (a contributor to Star Wars Insider) and Blue Leader posted the following screenshots from “Idiot’s Array,” which is currently available on the Disney XD app and will air on the channel proper January 19.
While there is no official word about whether or not Williams will reprise the role on the big screen in December’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, his return on “Rebels” is a welcome bit of original trilogy goodness to keep fans sated, following a brief vocal appearance by Frank Oz as Yoda earlier in the season.
“Rebels” viewers should keep an eye out later today, as Lucasfilm publicist Tracy Cannobbio posted the following on Twitter:
Pssst. @EW will be sharing some awesome #StarWarsRebels news tomorrow!
— Tracy Cannobbio (@Tcann13) January 12, 2015
Set between the events of Star Wars: Episodes III and IV, the “Star Wars Rebels” story unfolds during a dark time when the evil Galactic Empire is tightening its grip of power on the galaxy. Imperial forces have occupied a remote planet and are ruining the lives of its people. The motley but clever crew of the starship Ghost – cowboy Jedi Kanan, ace pilot Hera, street-smart teenager Ezra, the “muscle” Zeb, warrior firebrand Sabine, and grumpy old astromech droid Chopper – will face threatening new villains, embark on thrilling adventures and become heroes with the power to ignite a rebellion.
The voice cast includes Freddie Prinze Jr. as Kanan, Vanessa Marshall as Hera, Steve Blum as Zeb, Tiya Sircar as Sabine, Taylor Gray as Ezra, David Oyelowo as Agent Kallus and Jason Isaacs as the Inquisitor.
“Star Wars Rebels” is created by Dave Filoni (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars”), Simon Kinberg (X-Men: Days of Future Past, “Sherlock Holmes”), and Carrie Beck. The Lucasfilm Animation production is also executive-produced by Filoni and Kinberg as well as Greg Weisman (“Gargoyles”).
