Donald Glover Is Lando Calrissian in Young Han Solo Movie

glover

The rumors of possible Lando Calrissian casting have circulated for the past couple of months. As we reported before, Donald Glover was the first candidate for the role.

 

 

The official site confirmed today that Lucasfilm announced Glover’s casting as young Lando Calrissian in the upcoming Han Solo stand-alone movie. The new film, still untitled, depicts Lando in his formative years as a scoundrel on the rise in the galaxy’s underworld, before the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

 

“We’re so lucky to have an artist as talented as Donald join us,” said Lord and Miller. “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.”

 

Glover is best known for creating and starring in the critically acclaimed FX series Atlanta, starring in four seasons of the show Community, and for his Grammy-nominated album Because the Internet, performed under the name Childish Gambino. In addition, Glover appeared in the Academy Award-nominated The Martian, and will be seen in the upcoming Spider-Man: Homecoming. 

 

 

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Staff member, comic and book reviewer. Cheers for the Light Side, but would drink with Grand Admirals.

Jelena Bidin (LadyMusashi)

Staff member, comic and book reviewer. Cheers for the Light Side, but would drink with Grand Admirals.

73 thoughts on “Donald Glover Is Lando Calrissian in Young Han Solo Movie

  • October 22, 2016 at 12:50 am
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    Good choice – would like to see a pic of young Han and Lando together.

    • October 22, 2016 at 11:36 pm
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      As soon as they start shooting this they should publish this. It would help to assuage fan doubts.

  • October 22, 2016 at 12:55 am
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    Ya know normally I’d be salty that they are even touching the greatness that is Lando… but my favorite young entertainer just got cast as my favorite fictional character so… I’m sort of hyped I guess.

    • October 22, 2016 at 11:48 pm
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      A thumbs up from the most powerful Jedi in the universe.

  • October 22, 2016 at 1:02 am
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    I know Lando and Han are far from law abiding citizens, but I can’t help but to picture this movie as “buddy cops” in space. And that sounds awesome to me.

    • October 22, 2016 at 2:59 am
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      Think of it as Dirty Buddy Cops in space. It’s like they’re both playing the bad cop… 100% of the time.

    • October 22, 2016 at 11:33 pm
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      Except Han’s buddy would be slightly more hairy!

      • October 23, 2016 at 2:57 am
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        With all do respect to Chewbacca, the Star Wars franchise has always portrayed him as more of a really smart pet than as a “buddy”

  • October 22, 2016 at 1:14 am
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    Because there’s really only three things we want out of this movie. -Han meeting Chewie -The Kessel Run -The sht load of drinking/womanizing and illegal activity Han and Lando divulged in before they became better men.

    • October 22, 2016 at 1:19 am
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      Re: “Han meeting Chewie -The Kessel Run”
      I actually hope that they DON’T include this. Or Han having earlier run-in with Greedo or winning the Falcon from Lando.

      I’m worried that they’d focus too much on setting up too much fan service & creating a story *around* links to what we’ve seen in OT.

      Just focus on a fresh new story & interesting other characters.

      • October 22, 2016 at 1:33 am
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        One of those things would be fine. All of them? No.

        • October 22, 2016 at 2:30 am
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          Agreed.

      • October 22, 2016 at 2:38 am
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        Considering who wrote it, I think we’ll be fine.

      • October 22, 2016 at 4:29 pm
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        Winning the Falcon from Lando should be in there

        • October 22, 2016 at 11:17 pm
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          Re: “Winning the Falcon”
          The only problem I find with that is that it would more-or-less limit a future Solo film with Lando and/or at least upset timeline for any joint adventures in books/etc to *follow* the timeline.
          I mean, these characters are meant to be quite a bit younger & many years before ESB, where-in when the two meet-up, Lando is quite upset. It seems apparent that the two have not seen/talked (/hung out on any adventures) since that game/time-period….for Lando to be so *raw* about it.

      • October 22, 2016 at 5:40 pm
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        I think Kasdan said a while back it won’t be a formula sort of film. Checking all the boxes to fill in his backstory. That it would be a story/ an event to show how it shaped Han in the person we meet in ep IV.

        This could already be overturned of course.

    • October 22, 2016 at 6:24 am
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      I would love to see that as well.

    • October 22, 2016 at 4:26 pm
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      Before they became better men? Don’t tell that to Benny Renny he would disagree about Han and might smash a Correlian ale over your head…or a lightsaber through your heart

  • October 22, 2016 at 1:18 am
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    He was great in The Martian. He looks slightly more like Billy Dee Williams than Alden Eldrienich (I still don’t know the spelling) looks like Harrison Ford. I’m growing less sceptical about this movie… 100% sure that the first teaser’s final shot will be a split-second of Han and Lando playing their famous sabacc match.

    • October 22, 2016 at 1:33 am
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      I think a lot of fans will be eating their words after seeing this film. It looks better and better with each piece of news.

      • October 22, 2016 at 1:54 am
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        100% I’m still not totally sure I like it but I want this more than I want a desperate attempt to carve a plot out of Obi-Wan’s years on Tatooine.

        • October 22, 2016 at 1:58 am
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          I agree, though I get that some people desperately want Ewan to come back.

          • October 22, 2016 at 2:35 am
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            That’s the one thing I like about the idea. It would be cool if Ewan reprised the role. I just don’t think there’s a story there to justify it.

        • October 22, 2016 at 11:14 pm
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          Re: “desperate attempt to carve a plot out of Obi-Wan’s years on Tatooine”

          I think it only requires a bit of imaginative writing to get Obi-Wan OFF of Tatooine.
          Could very well book-end whatever Obi-Wan story they come up with starting & ending on Tatooine – his reluctantly leaving, worried about Luke & returning. Along with some cool example of him helping/saving/protecting Luke (/Lars) from a distance, perhaps unbeknownst to Lars. Or something that happens that Lars doesn’t like/trust.

          Regardless, it’s easy to have him *leave*.
          However….and just for example – I can imagine some simply amazing situations/stories told of his time on Tatooine. Particularly, as the “SW Stories” are meant to allow genre expansion & different tones, the likes of a Wild-West, reluctant ex-warrior(/”gunslinger”) being pushed too far/seeing too much that he winds up using his unique *abilities* to set things right. Think back on some C.Eastwood characters/other westerns & now replace putting the gunbelt back on & taking down bad-guys/protecting town/whatever w/lightsaber.
          To me that kind story would just write itself.

    • October 22, 2016 at 2:01 am
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      I think Kasdan intimated that we’d see a “young Han flying around in the Falcon with Chewie”.

    • October 22, 2016 at 2:17 am
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      Alden has the most difficult surname among the Star Wars stars.

  • October 22, 2016 at 1:33 am
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    Great casting, as always.

  • October 22, 2016 at 1:33 am
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    I thought the idea of “young Han Solo” was literally the worst spin off possible, but I think I’ve been swayed. More stories set in the time of the Empire – it can only be a good thing. I do wonder though – if RO and this movie are fantastic, is that going to detract from the sequel trilogy. I for one already want more than one Rogue One!

  • October 22, 2016 at 1:41 am
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    I think this is a good move. I think if they replace a few of the characters we’ve known and loved under one face, we may be able to separate ourselves from being so protective of the one actor that played them and get really neat stories as a result.

  • October 22, 2016 at 2:20 am
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    SUPERB CASTING — looks EXACTLY like a young Lando should ! THREE CHEERS for this win!

  • October 22, 2016 at 2:23 am
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    Doesn’t matter, Billy Dee doesn’t know who Donald Glover is.

    Still so pissed at how much of a dick BDW was in that interview.

    • October 22, 2016 at 5:37 pm
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      True, met him earlier this year at the Dutch Comic Con in Utrecht, Holland.
      Didn’t shake hands, instead gave awkward fist bumps. Didn’t want to talk at all, and “smiles” the same in every photo with fans.

      At his Q&A he asked to repeat every question one or more times, to save time to actually answer those questions.

      Don’t get me wrong, he was the first SW actor I personally met, which – coming from a small Dutch town – was awesome, but at the same put my feet firmly back in the ground.

  • October 22, 2016 at 2:56 am
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    Good, I love it. Now put Billy Dee in Episode VIII. I want more Lando.

  • October 22, 2016 at 3:24 am
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    Solo solo movie. It should just called SOLO

    • October 22, 2016 at 6:40 am
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      Solo: A Star Wars Story Anthology Returns

      • October 22, 2016 at 11:45 pm
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        Star Wars Anthology a Movie Catalyst a Star Wars Story Solo Han Solo Anthology: A Star Wars Anthology Story Anthology Caravan of Courage Ewoks Anthology Story

        Sounds promising.

    • October 22, 2016 at 11:43 pm
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      “I AM SMILING!”

  • October 22, 2016 at 4:27 am
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    Alrighhht!

    • October 22, 2016 at 10:20 am
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      That actually looks pretty solid. Even alden who doesn’t really resemble Harrison looks pretty close to a young Han.

    • October 22, 2016 at 5:53 pm
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      Thank you!!

  • October 22, 2016 at 4:58 am
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    Re: Harrison & Billy Dee idea (Smuggler’s Run technique)
    So for anyone who hasn’t read the SW book “Smuggler’s Run: A Han Solo & Chewbacca Adventure”…. possible very minor&telegraphed *spoilers*:
    The narrative is book-ended with a tale in a cantina, & of course near bar-fight, of Old Han Solo is telling the story.
    So using this same story-telling mechanic ….my dream scenario…. we could see an old Ford & Williams playing out a scene in the bar, & having argued over how the story ended.
    Obviously pre-TFA indicated with some last line from Solo about having to meet w/Leia to drop their son off w/Luke (or some such).

  • October 22, 2016 at 5:03 am
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    It’s not the spinoff movie I wanted them to make, but as always it looks like Lucasfilm will spin straw into cinematic gold. Great choice (though this didn’t change how much I want BDW as old Lando in episode 8 / 9)

    • October 22, 2016 at 2:11 pm
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      I don’t look at these movies as spinoffs, I see them as prequels that are more in keeping with the tone and ethos of the OT. So by 2020, as per Disney’s intention, I’ll be able to watch a chronological 9 movie Star Wars saga that doesn’t include TPM, AOTC AND ROTS – yeehaw!!

      • October 22, 2016 at 2:35 pm
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        Stop whining and grow up….

        • October 22, 2016 at 2:45 pm
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          I think you need some comprehension lessons there H.j. Leeuwen, my post is a happy celebratory opinion. We’re not sshhpaking d Dutch whordssshh here.

  • October 22, 2016 at 5:05 am
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    Oh this is too perfect. They picked the fan favorite, like Joe Manicotti (I can never remember his last name) as Deathstroke

    • October 22, 2016 at 5:24 am
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      * Joe Manganiello 😉

      • October 22, 2016 at 11:42 pm
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        *Joe Managerie

    • October 22, 2016 at 12:34 pm
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      Wait, I’m confused. You could or couldn’t ask for more perfect casting? Which is it?

      • October 22, 2016 at 4:26 pm
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        In my excitement over the casting news, my grammar was indeed poor.

      • October 22, 2016 at 4:30 pm
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        I think you’ll find he was correct.

  • October 22, 2016 at 8:42 am
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    I haven’t seen his acting, but appearance-wise he looks perfect for the role. While I’m still not too keen on a Han Solo spinoff, I hope the quality of their casting choice is a good indication that I’ll end up being surprised in the film overall.

    • October 22, 2016 at 4:27 pm
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      Watch Atlanta or Community, both really different shows and it highlights his range.

    • October 22, 2016 at 4:39 pm
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      Is this real?? The Force is strong in this one.

  • October 22, 2016 at 9:47 am
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    Convinced the movie is going to be pretty damn solid. They’ve added too much talent overall to the project. Hes the only new addition to the Star Wars universe, who I believe is a true star wars geek

  • October 22, 2016 at 5:12 pm
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    After Solo death in TFA (ups sorry, somebody didn’t know?) i think i’m gonna cry watching Han saving Chewie or seeing each other for the first time. I mean, cry a lot, seriously.
    Good physical choice for Lando, btw.

  • October 22, 2016 at 5:40 pm
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    Han & Lando in the moooorning !!

  • October 22, 2016 at 5:57 pm
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    Anyone else want Old Man Lando as an anthology between episodes 7 & 8?

    • October 22, 2016 at 11:39 pm
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      The Landerine 3

  • October 22, 2016 at 10:07 pm
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    Some of the most fun moments from Star Wars came from a combo of Han, Chewie and Lando. Throw in a potential return of Jabba the Hutt getting really upset at Han and putting the bounty on his head and this could be one heck of a fun ride seeing the underworld of the Star Wars universe and all the shenanigans these guys can get into (and out of).

  • October 22, 2016 at 11:29 pm
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    I have always understood that Han and Lando didn’t have any interaction between his winning the falcon and their subsequent meeting on cloud city, ignoring any EU nonsense that may have transpired since 1982.

    Therefore if Lando is in this film and clearly we know this to be the case, I would presume that Han doesn’t yet own the falcon, or his ownership will begin during the story, hopefully they get it out of the way at the beginning.

    Personally I think any origin story would be a shame, I expect that there are a lot of tales to tell given that Han claimed to have “seen a lot of strange stuff” in his time.

  • October 23, 2016 at 12:23 am
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    will it be like Smallville, like everybody knew each other when were teens, then meet again in the original trilogy?

    • October 23, 2016 at 1:17 am
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      in this case han and lando had known each other for several years prior to the OT.

  • October 23, 2016 at 7:24 am
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    Ugh.

  • October 24, 2016 at 8:55 am
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    My bet is on the story starting with Solo and his rebellious ways on Correlia, getting sent unwillingly to the Academy to “straighten him out”, rescues a wookie slave and get kicked out, and wins a sabacc match against an old friend and that win causes their relationship to be estranged. The line “you got a lot of nerve coming here, after what you pulled”, implies there may be some cheating involved.

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