Star Wars 9: Billy Dee Williams gets in shape for Lando return in NEW video – WATCH

Over the summer rumours sprouted the 81-year-old was returning to his Star Wars role for the first time since 1983.

Fans could tell something was up when a fun fact about Billy was shared by a fan convention concerning his new diet and exercise regime.

The dots were quickly joined since this is something that was required of both Mark Hamill and the late Carrie Fisher, when they returned as Luke and Leia in The Force Awakens.

Filming has already begun on Star Wars Episode IX and Billy is still getting in shape, as shown in a new workout video he’s shared.

Posted last night, his tweet reads: “I can’t think of a better to start my day. Feeling fit, healthy and better than ever.

“Taking care of body and mind go hand-in-hand.@Gunnar.”

The account reference afterwards links to that of the personal trainer depicted in the video.

And in the actual footage Billy is shown throwing punches at his trainer’s focus mitts, giving impressive hits for an 81-year-old.

At this stage it’s not clear what role Billy will play in the final chapter of the Star Wars sequel trilogy and saga as a whole.

With the death of Ford’s Han Solo in The Force Awakens and Hamill’s Luke in The Last Jedi, it was Leia who was to play a bigger role in Episode IX.

However following Fisher’s untimely death in 2016, she’ll now only appear via unused footage from The Force Awakens.

Presumably Lando will now take centre-stage as an original trilogy mentor for Rey.