Lando Calrissian, Other Classic ‘Star Wars’ Characters In Script For ‘Episode VII’

News for Star Wars: Episode VII is still only trickling out at sandcrawler speeds, but we have yet another interesting piece of information to add to the “confirmed” pile. After Michael Arndt’s selection as screenwriter based on his 50-page treatment for a seventh Star Wars film, Movieweb reports that classic characters such as Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Lando Calrissian have made the cut.

Though earliest reports indicated that Star Wars: Episode VII would primarily be championed by original characters, the latest news seems to indicate that there’s at least room for the classic cast. Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford have reportedly all expressed interest in returning (though we still cast serious doubt on Ford) and we reported recently that Billy Dee Williams was keen to sign on as well.

Though Arndt hasn’t penned the screenplay yet, and casting hasn’t begun, we know that the screenwriter was hired based on the strength of a 50-page treatment submitted to Lucasfilm and Disney.

Arndt’s treatment takes place after Return of the Jedi and does include the classic characters of Luke and Leia Skywalker, Han Solo, and Lando Calrissian. It is unknown how large a role they will play or whether they will ultimately be written out, but cameos by the original cast are a possibility.

If the original characters are to play centric roles, smart money is on them being re-cast with younger actors, especially if Star Wars: Episode VII deals with the immediate aftermath of Return of the Jedi.

Star Wars: Episode VII hits theaters in 2015. Are you excited?