HAN SOLO: Billy Dee Williams On Meeting Donald Glover For His Role As A Young Lando

HAN SOLO: Billy Dee Williams On Meeting Donald Glover For His Role As A Young Lando

Lando Calrissian remains the most famous role on Billy Dee Williams' resume, something the actor found a little difficult letting go of when he met with Donald Glover to discuss the Han Solo film...

By MattBellissimo - Feb 06, 2017 07:02 AM EST
Filed Under: Star Wars
Source: THR
After an eagle-eyed fan spotted Billy Dee Williams and Donald Glover having lunch at a cafe last week, many naturally assumed it was to discuss Glover's role as a young Lando Calrissian in the upcoming Han Solo standalone film. In a phone interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Williams confirmed that this was indeed the case, and opened up about Glover's approach to the role.

"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...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."

Of course, this a big turnaround from Williams' comments in September of last year; the actor was quoted as saying that "...as far as I’m concerned, I would say they should leave that character alone. I don’t think you can do any more than what I did with that character. I think I made that character into something very special, and I can’t imagine anybody else doing it, to be very frank with you." THR questioned Williams' initial comments, with the actor explaining that he's a little possessive about a role he considered to only be his.

"I don’t know. To me, I guess what it is that I identify so much with Lando. I mean, Lando has been very much a part of my life for over 30 years. When I go out and do conventions and stuff like that, even though people know me from all the other things that I’ve done, certainly [Lando] takes precedence. I just never thought of anybody else being Lando. I just see myself as Lando."

Williams recently reprised his role as Lando in Star Wars: Rebels, and there's been no hint at the character's current whereabouts in the new films. Williams admitted that someone else taking on the role was eventually inevitable, though he doesn't see himself as being done with the role. "Well, eventually something else has to happen with it. But I’m not saying goodbye to that character. It’s still very much a part of my life. I created that character." 
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Kman
Kman - 2/6/2017, 7:08 AM
Man I just don't know about this movie... I really like Donald Glover, but still. This is really going to need to impress me.
SmellofDuty
SmellofDuty - 2/6/2017, 7:10 AM
If anybody could do it, it's Donald.

webheaded
webheaded - 2/6/2017, 8:34 AM
@SmellofDuty - YES! It's 2017 and a funk song has 20 million views after only being released for 3 months. Donald Glover did that
CASH
CASH - 2/6/2017, 7:10 AM
I love his honesty and quite frankly I think we'd all feel the same way. Just might not be as gracious about it.
xcan
xcan - 2/6/2017, 1:51 PM
@CASH - Billy Dee is the man. Open and honest. So refreshing in today's guarded and insincere world.

Kman
Kman - 2/6/2017, 7:10 AM
Maybe we can get a Billy Dee Williams cameo in Episode IX... I think I'd be cool with that
RebelCommander
RebelCommander - 2/6/2017, 7:11 AM
This is an example of just a film that just doesn't need to be made, and is solely being made to milk Star Wars for all it's worth
OptimusGrinds
OptimusGrinds - 2/6/2017, 7:12 AM
@RebelCommander - Exactly.
IronGenesis
IronGenesis - 2/6/2017, 7:19 AM
Lando will be the Jar-Jar of the Sequel Trilogy.

A Character that played a significant role in their own trilogy and then their absence isn't even mentioned in the next Trilogy.

#MesaSureSaInDaMiddleOfDisNowSa
#TheysaArriveoJusBeforeYouSaMeesaHadNoChoiceSaBoyos
grif
grif - 2/6/2017, 7:21 AM
unless hes being paid. why would bdw gives this guy the time of day?
DannRamm113
DannRamm113 - 2/6/2017, 7:24 AM
"Lando Calrissian remains the most famous role on Billy Dee Williams' resume"

Um, what about his role as Harvey Dent?? Unforgettable.
TheSoulEater
TheSoulEater - 2/6/2017, 7:30 AM
@DannRamm113 - It makes me wonder what would've happened if Harrison Ford had said yes to being Batman instead of Keaton, we'd have Han and Lando as Bruce and Harvey.
JoshBerger
JoshBerger - 2/6/2017, 7:39 AM
A trailer has to win me over, but I do like Glover being cast as Lando if we're getting a movie with a young Lando. That said, the guy playing Han really does nothing for me. This could be a Lando movie and I'd be far more interested.
Like some said before in the comments, this is the perfect example of milking the Star Wars brand and is a movie every fan could do without.
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