Rumor: Donald Glover Is First Choice To Play Young Lando Calrissian

In the wake of the report that Lucasfilm is casting a young Lando Calrissian in the upcoming Han Solo standalone film, actor Donald Glover is rumored to be first in the running for the role.

Last week, TheWrap reported Lucasfilm is looking for an actor to play a young Lando Calrissian in the 2018 Han Solo movie. This weekend, Devin Feraci of Birth. Movies. Death. reported a rumor he heard, that 32-year-old Donald Glover (Community, The Martian) is the “first choice” for the role.

Lando was originally portrayed by Billy Dee Williams in The Empire Strikes Back in 1980 and Return of the Jedi in 1983. Last year, he returned to the role as a voice for Star Wars Rebels season 2, in which Lando made a cameo.

The first thing I notice about Glover is he looks similar to young Williams, without being a direct copy. Both actors have light brown skin, curly black hair, and small, dark brown eyes.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – AUGUST 09: Actor Donald Glover attends the FX Networks TCA 2016 Summer Press Tour on August 9, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

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But appearances are only part of the challenge of playing a younger version of a classic Star Wars character. Fortunately for Glover, he has experience in music, comedy, and acting, and all three can contribute to playing Lando well with respect to the original. Billy Dee Williams has a smooth musical voice, which as a singer Glover should be able to replicate. Comedic timing will help him in his reactions to Han Solo’s antics (and maybe in convincing Han to take part in his, as well). Most importantly, Glover’s film experience and familiarity with the stage will help him radiate Lando’s natural suave personality, which Williams played to perfection back in the day.

Another important factor in choosing an actor to play young Lando is said actor’s chemistry with Alden Ehrenreich, the actor confirmed to be playing young Han Solo. It’s not clear based on the reports so far if Han and Lando will be together much, or if the latter only appears for a few minutes on-screen. Regardless, the two’s relationship is vital enough to the story of The Empire Strikes Back that it must come off successfully in the spinoff movie. In the end, Glover’s ability to get along well with Ehrenreich may make or break him getting the Star Wars role.

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What do you think of Donald Glover as young Lando Calrissian in the new standalone Star Wars movie? Tell us in the comments below.