Arguably one of the most charismatic and stylish characters in the Star Wars franchise, Lando Calrissian's fan base has only grown over the years since he debuted in The Empire Strikes Back and stole the spotlight right out from under Han in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Despite his burgeoning popularity, there have been some disparaging perspectives centered around the rakish gambler.
From viewing him as overrated and overhyped, to thinking that no one will care about the live-action Lando series set to premiere soon on Disney+, Star Wars fans have taken to Reddit to reveal a variety of unpopular opinions focused on the former Baron Administrator of Cloud City turned Rebel Alliance hero.
No One Cares About His Early Life
When Lando was first introduced as an old friend of Han Solo's, fans were immediately intrigued -- who was this charming administrator with the ready smile and the beautiful cape? The events of the movie didn't reveal very much about his origins, but since reappearing in Solo: A Star Wars Story, interest in Lando's early adventures has only grown.
Redditor wesskywalker feels that just because characters like Lando are "beloved by fans doesn't mean they all need their own TV show" so that some things can be kept "to the imagination". While some fans may like to be kept in the dark about certain aspects of his life, most would like to see how the Lando series could connect to the Original Trilogy.
Being Pansexual Makes Perfect Sense
Lando is nothing if not a smooth operator, shamelessly vying for Leia's affections in front of Han, completely convinced of his own ability to charm anyone. In Solo: A Star Wars Story, his flirtations even extended to droids, particularly his co-pilot L3-37, which some fans questioned given that she was an inorganic life form that would make any intimacy difficult.
CaptainNemo_ feels that it makes perfect sense for a "powerful intergalactic smuggler playboy" like Lando to "be attracted to species that don't have traditional reproductive systems". Most fans thought they were better as close friends, especially after the droid sacrificed herself to save the day.
Donald Glover Was Horrible In Solo
It's hard to imagine anyone other than the incomparable Billy Dee Williams portraying Lando, but after seeing Donald Glover's performance in Solo: A Star Wars Story, many fans were completely won over. Glover managed to respectfully replicate Lando's mannerisms and charm while also adding qualities to make the character his own.
Outrider567 maintains that "Donald Glover was just an ugly and insipid version of Lando" who did nothing but "whine and [wail] about the death of his droid", a direct contrast to the fans who felt not only did Glover look remarkably like Billy Dee Williams but that seeing him be so close to someone (other than Han) went far in fleshing out his character.
He's Not Interesting Because He's Not Force-Sensitive
A large part of the Star Wars franchise has focused on Force-sensitive individuals, especially surrounding the Skywalker saga. As important as the Force is, there are plenty of characters with interesting narratives that aren't directly connected to it. If anything, Lando Calrissian is one of the most interesting characters that isn't a Force-adept.
Redditor theguyfromuncle420 thinks that while certain characters like Chewie, Han, and Lando are popular, they "just doesn't find them interesting at all" because the Star Wars franchise is only interesting when it focuses on "Jedi/Sith and Force lore." Most fans feel that if anything, the current era of Star Wars is precisely the time to step away from stories focusing on the Jedi/Sith in order to explore the narratives of other characters.
He Was Right To Betray Han Solo
The Empire Strikes Back remains the darkest movie in the Original Trilogy, and Lando's betrayal of his old friend Han Solo only adds to the pain and suffering experienced by the heroes as they attempt to outrun the Empire. Most fans couldn't believe Lando would be so self-serving in his friend's darkest hour.
Silent_Sky feels that Lando was right to betray his friend because choosing "his thousands of innocent people, over one renegade old friend" was the right thing to do. Lando may have been responsible for innocent lives, but most fans feel like the choice to betray Han came from a more selfish, profiteering place that was wary of Imperial Occupation.
No One Would Want To See A Lando Movie
When Solo: A Star Wars Story was in development fans debated about whether or not a Han Solo movie was "necessary". Rogue One: A Star Wars Story wasn't "necessary" but it had been successful because it boasted new characters, and fans wondered if an already prominent character like Han deserved his own movie over someone like Lando.
Redditor myReddit555 thinks that if Lando "was popular, in other words, profitable" they would make a movie about him, but because "no one cares about Lando", he'll never receive a feature film. Solo ended up doing relatively poorly at the box office when it premiered, but Donald Glover as Lando was indicated as one of its best features.
He's Not As Iconic As Han, Leia, Or Luke
With his cape and ready smile, Lando all but stole the show out from under the main characters when he first appeared. And if that wasn't enough to make him an icon, he had a great deal of character development in a short amount of time, with an impressive redemption arc that was complex and nuanced.
Hystericalhyena doesn't get "why Lando is as beloved as he is" because "every other character in Star Wars is iconic. Luke Skywalker. Han Solo. Princess Leia. They feel like mythological figures." At the time that The Empire Strikes Back came out Billy Dee Williams was one of the biggest stars to be included in the franchise. Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford had become overnight sensations but Williams already had already been in Lady Sings The Blues and Mahogany.
He's A Token Character
Today, the Star Wars franchise is concentrated on being diverse, but before characters like Mace Windu, Cassian Andor, Finn, or Din Djarin were played by people of color, there was Lando Calrissian. According to The Empire Triumphant: Race, Religion and Rebellion in the Star Wars Films, Williams was attracted to the role because it was a strong part in a sci-fi movie that was never specifically scripted as any particular race.
According to Redditor tommymikaelson Lando was "just a token Black person" who didn't "have a great personality." Not only was he incredibly important as the Baron Administrator of Cloud City, his redemption arc was essential to both the plot of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. His manner might have echoed Williams' roles as an actor in Blaxploitation movies like The Final Comedown, but Lando's character didn't mock them.
He Should Have Warned Han
Fans couldn't believe that one of Han's oldest friends would so easily turn him over to the Empire. Most fans believed that at the very least, Lando should have had a secondary plan -perhaps a trap door in the carbon freezing chamber?- in place to ensure Han could escape before being frozen by Darth Vader.
Redditor syndoctor feels that from the very moment the Millennium Falcon docked at Cloud City, Lando should have "been grimacing and rolling his eyes to indicate that danger was afoot." Lando couldn't give away the Empire's position to Han while they were both so exposed on the platform, and Han didn't have the fuel to get back in the Falcon and try to escape.
Donald Glover Was Better Than Billy Dee Williams
With the exception of animated series like Clone Wars or Rebels, and barring an actor's death (in the case of Peter Cushing, Carrie Fisher, David Prowse, or Peter Mayhew), the same actors have always portrayed their live-action characters in the Star Wars franchise. Donald Glover, therefore, had a big cape to fill as a younger version of Lando Calrissian, a role Billy Dee Williams made his own in Solo: A Star Wars Story.
_Zaayk_ believes that when it comes to Lando's character, he actually "likes Donald Glover as Lando more than Billy Dee Williams." While most fans would say they like him just as much, you'd be hard pressed to find any that actually prefer his take on a character made so beloved by Williams, if only because they'd see his performance as a form of imitation and homage.