Reviving the Fun: Donald Glover's Vision for a Joyful Lando Calrissian in Star Wars

Donald Glover believes that the Star Wars universe is in need of a lighter touch and aims to infuse more fun into storytelling. His goal is to revitalize the beloved franchise with a new approach centered around his character, Lando Calrissian.

In a dialogue with The Wall Street Journal, Glover expressed his view that the recent Star Wars films have strayed from the fun elements that originally defined the saga. He wants to leverage Lando's roguish charm to create an entertaining movie that resonates with audiences. Glover emphasized his desire for enjoyment by stating that he simply wants the experience to be enjoyable, as this is something many fans crave.

As a devoted Star Wars aficionado, Glover recognizes the significance of joy in the franchise. He noted the challenges of maintaining a lighthearted spirit amidst serious global events that often dominate the conversation. While understanding the need for seriousness due to the weighty issues at hand, he firmly believes that part of being human entails embracing enjoyment, which he feels has been diminished recently.

Though Glover adores Star Wars, he pointed out that the franchise can sometimes be overly somber. He noted the intense tones surrounding the Skywalker storyline, contrasting that with Lando’s more carefree demeanor. Glover sees Lando as a relatable figure, someone who recognizes the absurdity of war and simply wants to get by, something many people can connect with. His intent is to bring back the joy to Star Wars storytelling.

While Lando currently does not have a release date, development appears to be underway. Glover revealed that he and his brother Stephen are collaborating on the screenplay and have regular discussions about the project. Since its inception as a spin-off from Solo: A Star Wars Story back in 2018, the Lando project has seen fluctuating levels of interest and visibility.

Disney initially announced a series in 2020, but information remained sparse until Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, indicated in 2023 that discussions with Glover were still ongoing. However, the situation became complicated when former lead writer Justin Simien expressed uncertainty about the project. Shortly afterward, he was removed from the team, with the Glover brothers stepping in. Simien later revealed that he was blindsided by the change and had to navigate through a difficult emotional process as a result.