Update on the status of the Lando series
By Aidan Burns
Amongst all the Star Wars news, events, and upcoming projects, it can be easy to forget about a project that hasn’t been in talks. Back in 2020, Lucasfilm announced a new forthcoming project called Lando. Focusing on none other than Lando Calrissian, The announcement was quite well received, but since then, we haven’t heard very much. Here’s everything we currently know about this series and its chances of coming to fruition.
While speaking to IGN at Star Wars Celebration back in April, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy gave us an update on the status of the perhaps forgotten-about series.
“I can just tell you it’s still happening, and he’s very excited about it,” Kennedy told IGN.
On the flip side of that coin, The Direct more recently had the chance to sit down with the show’s writer, Justin Simen. Simen ultimately gave an update that many fans who’ve been anticipating the appearance of the beloved character won’t like very much.
“I certainly poured my heart and spent a lot of time working with them to put together a really great show. It feels like everybody loves it. And, you know, I was told we had to put a pause on it because of scheduling, and the next update I got [in 2020], some years ago. So I don’t know, I have no idea what’s going on with it.” Simen told The Direct.
Not only has the series gone without many updates, But the actor playing Calrissian has yet to be confirmed. Since the announcement of the series, Donald Glover has been expected to reprise his role as Lando Calrissian from the 2018 box office film, Solo. Lucasfilm nor Kathleen Kennedy has confirmed Glover’s return. Therefore, the door remains open for the possible return of the character’s original actor, Billy Dee Williams. While Williams did return for the 2019 film, Star Wars: Rise Of Skywalker, the actor is certainly too old to play a younger version of his character. The story would most likely have to take place after the events of Rise Of Skywalker. However, Given that Kathleen Kennedy already has a strong vision for what the Post-ROS era is going to look like, William’s return is possible, but certainly not probable.
Since Disney’s purchase of Lucasfilm in 2012, Canceled projects have been no stranger to the studio. This includes Rogue Squadron, Kevin Feigie’s untitled Star Wars film, and others. With those in mind, many wonder if the lack of updates indicates that Lando may never get made. Given that we don’t have any details regarding when the show takes place, who’s playing the main character, or any of the plot, it can be believed that there are more prioritized shows that fit the bigger, interconnected story that Lucasfilm plans to tell. There’s no telling when the next update or cancellation will come, but we’ll be here to let you know whenever it may arrive.