Among the untold stories in Star Wars mythology are the adventures that Han Solo and Lando Calrissian shared as younger men, before they reunited in 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back. With a new Han Solo movie in development, producers are looking for someone to play his gambling buddy, fellow intergalactic thief and scoundrel, and former pilot of the Millennium Falcon.
The Wrap’s Umberto Gonzalez reports that the Calrissian character, originally played by Billy Dee Williams, will indeed be a part of the film, directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller (The LEGO Movie, 22 Jump Street). Though it’s not yet known how large of a role Calrissian will play in the movie, he and Solo have a long history together.
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Longtime Star Wars fans know that Calrissian lost the Millennium Falcon to Solo in a card game. Is it possible that we’ll see that moment play out in this upcoming movie?
So who could play a young Lando Calrissian alongside Alden Ehrenreich’s Han Solo?
Surfing the internet and social media, Michael B. Jordan (Creed) seems to be the top choice among fans. But he might be busy with his role in Marvel’s upcoming Black Panther as bad guy Erik Killmonger. (Incidentally, the gentleman who plays the Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman, would also likely be out of the running for the very same reason.)
The first name that came to my mind was Donald Glover (Community), and it appears that he’s a popular choice for the people as well. I’d also love to see Anthony Mackie (Captain America: Civil War) take the role, but he could be busy playing The Falcon for Marvel and is probably older than what the production is targeting.
According to Birth.Movies.Death’s Devin Faraci, Glover is indeed the first choice to play Calrissian. No word on whether or not any offer has been made, or how many actors the production intends to look at for the role. (Miller and Lord said they look at thousands of actors for Han Solo before deciding on Ehrenreich.)
However, Miller and Lord could very well cast a relative unknown, as they did with Ehrenreich. Han Solo can’t be outshone by Lando Calrissian, right? There are plenty of actors who would be great for the role, and would love the opportunity to be in a Star Wars blockbuster. Just as every young white actor in Hollywood tested for Solo, every young black actor will surely audition for the part and be attached to it in rumors and reports.
The Han Solo movie is currently scheduled for a May 25, 2018 release.
[The Wrap]
