Summary
- Lando Calrissian is getting his own spinoff movie, showcasing his strategic nature and administrative connections that made him integral in the original Star Wars trilogy.
- Donald Glover's performance as Lando in Solo was highly praised, leading to speculation of a spinoff. The potential to explore diverse live-action prequels and spinoffs in the Star Wars universe has been opened up.
- The Lando project was initially planned as a Disney+ streaming show but has since been shifted to a theatrical movie.
Solo: A Star Wars Story failed to create massive waves within the Star Wars fanbase, yet Lando Calrissian is still getting his very own spinoff movie, currently titled Lando. First portrayed by Billy Dee Williams in The Empire Strikes Back, the smuggler-turned-administrator of Cloud City has endured as a canonical favorite. Even though he initially betrays Han Solo to the Empire, his redemption arc finds Lando not only rescuing his old friend, but also leading the rebel fleet in an attack on the Death Star II. With his strategic nature and administrative connections, Lando proved to be quite integral in the original trilogy.
It was natural that when Han Solo got his standalone prequel, Lando received his fair share of screen time. Despite the Solo spinoff bombing at the box office for Lucasfilm, audiences still praised Donald Glover's take on Lando. Glover's performance was singled out as one of Solo's highlights, leading to speculation of a spinoff movie or series. Since The Mandalorian, Star Wars has opened up the potential to explore diverse live-action prequels and spinoffs following characters, including Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, and Ahsoka. With a major star playing the role of a morally ambiguous scoundrel, Lando offers the chance to explore uncharted waters.
Lando Latest News
Following years of silence on the project, it was confirmed that Glover would take on writing duties for Lando. While the actor had remained busy with other commitments, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy maintained that there was a high level of interest in producing the project. Another major change for Lando came by way of its format, which Lucasfilm shifted from a Disney+ streaming series to a movie slated to release theatrically.
Lando Confirmed
A live-action Lando series was confirmed in December 2020 along with many other Star Wars titles. These potential shows and movies were announced by Kathleen Kennedy at The Walt Disney Company’s Investor Day event. In September 2023, however, Lucasfilm revealed a change in plans for the project. Initially a Disney+ TV show, Lando has since been shifted to a movie intended for theatrical release.
Lando Cast Details
While Donald Glover is expected to reprise his role as Lando Calrissian, original Lando actor Billy Dee Williams should also make an appearance. Given the movie's unknown placement in the Star Wars timeline, the situation is uncertain for many of Glover’s co-stars from Solo: A Star Wars Story. Emilia Clarke, who played the Crimson Dawn crime syndicate leader Qi’ra, revealed in a 2021 Happy Sad Confused podcast episode that she has not been contacted yet to appear in any Lando-related project. Alden Ehrenreich reprising the role of Han Solo would seem inevitable, but details will remain sparse for some time.
Lando Creators
In the 2020 Investors Day announcement, Kathleen Kennedy confirmed that Justin Simien would be developing the story for a Lando Disney+ series and serving as its creator. A change was made in May 2023 shortly before the WGA strike, with Simien unknowingly replaced on Lando by Glover and his brother, Stephen, who assumed writing duties. The duo will serve as co-creators of the project as Lando transitions to the feature film format.
Where Lando Could Fit In The Star Wars Timeline?
With Glover on board, the implication is clear that Lando is likely to serve as another prequel to the original trilogy. But the Lando movie can also be a sequel to Solo: A Star Wars Story, which introduced a younger Lando Calrissian as a gambler who is proficient at winning through dishonorable means. Given that Lando’s betrayal at Cloud City also revealed his loyalty to its citizens, Lando might shed light on what fueled the character’s political journey as an administrator. Andor fleshed out its protagonist’s political and rebellious origins well, leaving space for Lando’s ideological evolution to be similarly explored.
At the same time, if Williams joins the cast, then Lando can also incorporate a post-The Rise of Skywalker timeline delving into the trials and tribulations of an aging Lando. As seen in Obi-Wan Kenobi and The Book of Boba Fett, the Star Wars is willing to explore arcs around characters with eventful pasts. While Williams is past his prime, brief sequences of narration as an older Lando reflects on his youthful escapades would set the stage for Glover's adventure. Should that happen, the bulk of Lando's story will transpire during the Dark Times, but also be the first story set after the sequel trilogy.