Billy Dee Williams celebrates ‘lasting legacy’ of ‘Empire Strikes Back’ on film’s 45th anniversary
By Eric Todisco
The greatest film in the galaxy.
“Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back” is 45 years old today – and Billy Dee Williams couldn’t be prouder to have starred in such a ground-breaking piece of cinema.
“Working on ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ was like stepping into a dream — an adventure in every sense,” the 88-year-old actor who played Lando Calrissian exclusively told The Post.
Billy Dee Williams attends the 2024 TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood, California
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Billy Dee Williams at the 2024 TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood.
Getty Images for TCM
Billy Dee Williams in "The Empire Strikes Back" in 1980
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Williams in “The Empire Strikes Back” in 1980.
©Lucasfilm Ltd./courtesy Everett
“George Lucas, Irvin Kershner, and the entire team created a world so rich and real that it was impossible not to get swept away,” Williams added. “I knew it was something special even then, but none of us could have predicted the lasting impact it would have.”
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Williams made his “Star Wars” debut in the 1980 film directed by Kershner (who died in 2010) with a story by Lucas, 81.
Upon its release, “The Empire Strikes Back” got mixed reviews from critics and fans, many of whom complained about the film’s dark tone that culminated in the bad guys winning in the end.
Darth Vader, Lando Calrissian and Boba Fett in “The Empire Strikes Back.”
But after many years, “The Empire Strikes Back” became universally considered the best “Star Wars” movie.
“Forty-five years later, ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ still resonates because it’s not just about battles and starships — it’s about friendship, sacrifice and hope,” Williams told The Post. “To be part of a story that has inspired generations is a humbling honor. I feel the love from fans every day, and it never gets old.”
Billy Dee Williams, Harrison Ford in "The Empire Strikes Back"
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Williams and Harrison Ford in “The Empire Strikes Back.”
Everett Collection / Everett Collection
Billy Dee Williams as Lando in "The Empire Strikes Back"
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Williams as Lando in “The Empire Strikes Back.”
Everett Collection / Everett Collection
In the film, Lando initially betrays his longtime pal Han Solo (Harrison Ford), before he has a change of heart and backstabs the Empire — thus securing fan-favorite status.
“Lando was, and still is, a trailblazer,” said Williams. “He showed audiences that charm, complexity and courage could live in one man.”
Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Harrison Ford in 1980
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Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Williams and Ford in 1980.
©Lucasfilm Ltd./courtesy Everett
Williams added: “I always approached him with a sense of dignity and fun, and I’m proud that after all these years, Lando still holds such a beloved place in the galaxy.”
Billy Dee Williams at the Critics Choice Association's 5th Annual Celebration Of Black Cinema and Television in 2022
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Williams at the Critics Choice Association’s fifth annual Celebration of Black Cinema and Television in 2022.
Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
Editor Paul Hirsch exclusively told The Post that working on the film is still one of his greatest achievements in his career.
“I was on the picture for 14 months, during which time I was on location in London and in Marin County, where my son was born,” said Hirsch, who wrote about “The Empire Strikes Back” in his 2019 book “A Long Time Ago in a Cutting Room Far, Far Away.”
Paul Hirsch at the 2024 AFI Fest at TCL Chinese Theatre on October 23, 2024 in Hollywood, California
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Paul Hirsch at the 2024 AFI Fest in Hollywood.
Getty Images
“I had innumerable memorable experiences during that time,” Hirsch added, “so to pick out a single memory would be impossible.”
Despite its success, “The Empire Strikes Back” infamously faced numerous production difficulties.
Original screenwriter Leigh Brackett died before filming started, and her duties were passed onto Lawrence Kasdan.
Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Peter Mayhew, Mark Hamill in "The Empire Strikes Back"
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Ford, Fisher, Peter Mayhew and Hamill in “The Empire Strikes Back.”
©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
Additionally, several actors got hurt on set including Mark Hamill, who was in a severe car accident that caused facial injuries. That forced the film’s creators to include a scene where Luke Skywalker is attacked by a Wampa on Hoth.
There were also financing problems as the film’s initial budget of $8 million rose to over $30 million. The movie ultimately made over $540 million at the worldwide box office.
Lando with Han after he’s frozen in carbonite.
©Lucasfilm Ltd./courtesy Everett / Everett Collection
Hirsch told The Post that his job as editor wasn’t impacted by the production issues.
Speaking about the film’s legacy, Hirsch said, “The initial release of a film is like its birth. Some grow up and lead long lives and achieve success later on. I have worked on a few that were total flops at first, but are now considered cult classics.”
Chewbacca chokes Lando in "The Empire Strikes Back"
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Chewbacca chokes Lando in “The Empire Strikes Back.”
©Lucasfilm Ltd./courtesy Everett / Everett Collection
In a rare interview with StarWars.com in 2020, Lucas looked back on making “The Empire Strikes Back.”
“It wasn’t the most fun movie to make, but it was definitely a rewarding film,” he said. “It turned out well. I learned some things.”
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