Billy Dee Williams played the original role of Lando Calrissian in the „Star Wars“ franchise and believes he „created that character.“
Billy Dee Williams has been impressed by Donald Glover’s acting talent, but stands behind the notion that „there’s only one Lando Calrissian.“
Williams, who played Lando Calrissian in the 1980s movie „The Empire Strikes Back,“ spoke to Radio Times about Glover’s portrayal of the role in the „Star Wars“ franchise.
„I had a nice little lunch with him. He’s a delightful young man. Extremely talented,“ he said. „But I don’t see him… I mean, when it comes to Lando Calrissian there’s only one Lando Calrissian. I created that character.“
Williams told the outlet the advice he gave Glover ahead of the role. „I told him to be charming – two words! That’s all I needed to tell him. That’s all I could think of,“ Williams explained.
Glover took on the role as young Lando in the 2018 „Star Wars“ prequel film, „Solo: A Star Wars Story.“ According to Variety, a Disney+ series was announced in 2020 for a limited series focused on the character.
The outlet reported that in July 2023, it was announced that brothers Donald and Stephen Glover took control of the „Lando“ limited series as writers and the project is now being turned into a movie.
Billy Dee explained that Glover is taking the role in a new direction.
„He’s part of a whole new generation. He’ll create whatever he needs to create, to bring appeal to the character,“ he said of Donald.
