Donald Glover Cast as Young Lando Calrissian For ‘Star Wars’ Han Solo Spin-Off
Hello, what have we here...? Disney has finally found its young Lando Calrissian for its upcoming Star Wars Han Solo spin-off, and we couldn't be more excited.
On Friday (October 21), Lucasfilm announced that Atlanta actor and Grammy-nominated hip hop star Donald Glover (known as Childish Gambino when he's rapping) has been cast to play the role of the smooth Rebel Alliance general originally brought to the screen by Billy Dee Williams in The Empire Strikes Back in 1980.
According to a statement released on StarWars.com, "This new film depicts Lando in his formative years as a scoundrel on the rise in the galaxy’s underworld — years before the events involving Han, Leia, and Darth Vader in The Empire Strikes Back and his rise to Rebel hero in Return of the Jedi."
"We’re so lucky to have an artist as talented as Donald join us," directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller said, adding jokingly, "These are big shoes to fill, and an even bigger cape, and this one fits him perfectly, which will save us money on alterations. Also, we’d like to publicly apologize to Donald for ruining Comic-Con for him forever."
Back in July, it was announced that Hail, Caesar! actor Alden Ehrenreich had been cast to play a young version of Han Solo in a planned spin-off for the rugged, charming character originally made iconic by Harrison Ford.
Disney and Lucasfilm’s untitled Han Solo spin-off is slated for 2018.
Look Back at the Star Wars: The Force Awakens Red Carpet Premiere: