‘Han Solo’ Film Is Casting Young Lando Calrissian (Exclusive)
The role was originated by Billy Dee Williams in the original “Star Wars” trilogy
Umberto Gonzalez | August 11, 2016 @ 1:32 PM
Last Updated: August 11, 2016 @ 6:24 PM
Han Solo is getting a gambling buddy — his standalone “Star Wars” spinoff film is casting a young Lando Calrissian.
Fans have speculated about which of the characters from Solo’s complicated past might turn up in “Han Solo,” and now we know at least one. The Cloud City cassanova was originally played by Billy Dee Williams, and the current code name in casting circles for young Lando is “Chance” — perhaps a reference to the character’s appreciation of cards and dice.
Though we met Lando in “The Empire Strikes Back” — in which Darth Vader forced him to betray Han, Leia, Chewbacca and C-3PO when they turned up at Cloud City — he has a long history with Solo that we may see parts of in the new standalone film. Lando famously lost the Millennium Falcon to Solo in a game called sabacc — though he got to fly it again in “Return of the Jedi.”
The “Han Solo” solo film is being directed by “Lego Movie” and “Jump Street” team Phil Lord and Chris Miller.
Reps for Lucasfilm declined to comment.
7 Actors Who Would Kill It As Lando in Young Han Solo Movie (Photos)
Of course the young Han Solo spinoff movie would have to include Lando Calrissian. What we don't know, however, is who's going to take on the role alongside Alden Ehrenreich's Han. Billy Dee Williams was 42 when he shot "The Empire Strikes Back," so we looked for actors younger than that to play Lando in his prequel days.
Nate Parker
After impressing in "Red Tails," "Non-Stop" and "Beyond the Lights," Nate Parker is about to rack up a pile of Oscar nominations for "The Birth of a Nation" -- which he wrote, directed and starred in. He's more than got the range to take on Lando.
Corey Hawkins
The "Straight Outta Compton" star is also about to become a household name as he takes over from Kiefer Sutherland on "24: Legacy." Hawkins has the sort of detached wariness you'd want to see from Lando in his earlier years.
Daveed Diggs
What better way for the Thomas Jefferson of "Hamilton" to transition to big screen stardom than by taking on Lando? He's definitely smooth enough to pull it off.
Marque Richardson
He broke out with lengthy runs on "True Blood" and "The Newsroom" and by landing a spot in "Dear White People." This would be a big step up, but "Star Wars" films love to catch rising stars, from Daisy Ridley to Jon Boyega.
A bona fide movie star, we think Michael B Jordan should be in everything. He's almost definitely too busy, especially with "Black Panther" coming up soon, but we can dream.
Keegan-Michael Key
The taller half of Key & Peele already played Lando once, in a sketch on their show. He's an offbeat choice, for sure, but the young Han Solo movie is coming from "Jump Street" directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller -- and in their hands, we think Key would work perfectly.
Ludacris
Almost no chance of this happening, and fans would definitely hate the idea, but the "Fast/Furious" star would fit Lando like a glove.
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Lando’s cape won’t fit just any actor, but these guys could slip into it quite comfortably
Of course the young Han Solo spinoff movie would have to include Lando Calrissian. What we don't know, however, is who's going to take on the role alongside Alden Ehrenreich's Han. Billy Dee Williams was 42 when he shot "The Empire Strikes Back," so we looked for actors younger than that to play Lando in his prequel days.
