'Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker' Leak May Reveal Another Big Cameo
Could the 'Episode IX' trailer tease an unexpected character?
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is already set to feature the return of everyone’s favorite smuggler, Lando Calrissian, but Episode IX might just include a cameo from another classic character. A brightened version of Billy Dee Williams’ appearance in the Rise of Skywalker trailer suggests one more fan favorite from Empire Strikes Back could show up: Lobot.
Possible spoilers for Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker below.
Lobot! Remember Lobot? In Star Wars lore, the Bespin native was hired by the Empire to perform battlefield calculations using his iconic cyborg headgear. The device boosted his brain power but gave him a bit of a robotic personality as a result.
Will Lobot show up in 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker'?
Eventually, Lobot left the Empire and teamed up with Lando. By Empire Strikes Back, Lobot is basically running Cloud City, and Lando communicates with him using a special wristwatch. So why is Lando wearing the same gadget in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker?
As Twitter user @CadBanesBounty points out, Lando appears to be rocking the same communication device in Episode IX.
Does this mean Lobot will pay a role in the new movie as well? From a plot perspective, it makes sense that Lando would still be working with his old friend, and for now we know basically nothing about Lando’s role in Episode IX. So it’s pretty tough to rule out the possibility.
The only real issue with this theory is that the actor who plays Lobot (John Hollis) died in 2005. Of course, the character could still appear through CGI, like Grand Moff Tarkin in Rogue One, or Disney might simply recast the role.
Then again, maybe Lando Calrissian simply wears the watch because he likes the way it looks. He might even use it to communicate with someone else. We doubt the renowned smuggler will show up in Rise of Skywalker without a squad to support him.
At the very least, we now know that Star Wars: Episode IX will include a subtle nod to Lobot. In a movie already jam-packed with characters, even that’s pretty cool.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters on December 20, 2019.
