Donald Glover portraying Lando Calrissian in the Han Solo flick already had fans hype. Now word is that the OG Lando, Billy Dee Williams, essentially co-signed the Atlanta actor taking on the role.
Says the Hollywood Reporter:
You recently had lunch with Donald Glover. What’d you talk about?
He’s a very delightful young man, I must say. We had a very nice lunch and we talked for a very long time and it was very easy. He had questions about [Lando]. I guess he was doing what normal actors do, they just want to find out what direction they want to take so they gather their information. So, we just sat and talked, and I didn’t want to impose on anything he wanted to do — he’s got his own ideas, I would imagine. I know he has his own ideas. He’s a very talented young man. In fact, I was listening to some of his music [Childish Gambino, Glover’s musical alter-ego] and it’s pretty good stuff.
What type of ideas was he proposing?
Not to any great extent, I think he basically just wanted to see me, meet me, get to know me a little bit and probably figure out a way to use me in developing his character.
He had recently said that he wasn’t “as cool” as you. Did you give him any pointers on being cool?
Well, nobody’s as cool as me. (Laughs.) That’s a tough way to go. No, I’m only joking. Donald is eclectic, I think that’s really important particularly for the character of Lando. He is particularly eclectic in the way he approaches his art. When I talked to him I really got the sense of him being a worldly person.
The Colt 45 was clear to say that he was Lando, though, since he originated the character.
Williams also said he wouldn’t say no to a cameo in the new Star Wars films in his old role.
Yo JJ Abrams, you gotta make that happen.
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Photo: Star Wars screen cap
