Solo: A Star Wars Story co-writer Jonathan Kasdan caused something of a stir recently when he revealed that beloved Star Wars character Lando Calrissian was pansexual. His comments brought ire from those who felt that it was a needless push of identity politics and from others who thought that if the character wasn't going to be textually queer, he was better off not saying anything at all.
There was also a subset of Star Wars fans who didn't mind and thought it odd that this fact was an issue for anyone, taking it as a given that the intergalactic lothario introduced to us in 1980's Empire Strikes Back had bedded any number of alien species who obviously wouldn't subscribe to human biology or gender conventions.
This was precisely how Donald Glover, who portrays the character in Ron Howard's upcoming spin-off film, thought about it. Appearing on SiriusXM’s Entertainment Weekly Radio, Glover was asked about Kasdan's comments on the "fluidity" of his character's sexuality stating.
How can you not be pansexual in space? There are so many things to have sex with. I don't think that was that weird. Yeah, he's coming on to everybody. I feel like if you're in space it's kind of like, the door is open! It's like, not only guys or girls - no, it's anything. This thing is literally a blob. Are you a man or a woman? Like, who cares? Have a good time out here.
By all accounts, this new discovery in regards to Lando's sexuality doesn't have much play in Solo: A Star Wars Story which hits theatres this Friday, but if Jon Kasdan returns to pen the rumored Lando solo film, we may well see this manifest itself in more concrete ways.
What do you think? Were you bothered by this reveal? Do you agree with Glover's comments? Would you like to see the character receive his own film? Leave your thoughts below.