- "Lando Calrissian is the galaxy's smoothest, most notorious scoundrel, and he'll return in a brand-new event series for Disney+. Justin Simien, creator of the critically acclaimed and hugely popular, Dear White People, is developing the story with us now. A massive Star Wars fan himself, Justin has put together a reel to give you a sense of the style, tone, and irresistible swagger of our upcoming series, Lando."
- ―President Kathleen Kennedy announces Star Wars: Lando
Lando, marketed as Star Wars: Lando, is an upcoming film. It will focus on Lando Calrissian. The story will be developed[1] by Lando actor Donald Glover and his brother Stephen Glover.[2] Announced on December 10, 2020, the project was originally planned to be a series on Disney+[1] before being pivoted to a movie format.[4]
Official description[]
Everyone's favorite scoundrel Lando Calrissian will return in a brand-new event series for Disney+. Justin Simien, creator of the critically-acclaimed Dear White People and a huge Star Wars fan, is developing the story.[1]
Development[]
On December 10, 2020, Lucasfilm Ltd. announced that a Star Wars series centering on Landonis Balthazar Calrissian was in development for Disney+, with Justin Simien writing and serving as showrunner.[1] In 2022, during an interview at Celebration Anaheim, Kathleen Kennedy said that there was no movement on the series, and they were waiting for Donald Glover to finish other projects first.[5] On July 18, 2023, The Direct published an interview with Simien, in which he revealed he had not received any updates about the series since 2020. He stated "I have no idea what's going on" with the series.[6]
On July 27, 2023, it was reported that Simien had exited the project due to his commitments with Haunted Mansion, and that Donald Glover and his brother Stephen Glover would write and serve as showrunners for the series, with Glover reprising his role as Lando.[2] In an interview published earlier the same day, Simien had told The Hollywood Reporter that he was "still attached, I think" to the series. He stated he had been told the higher ups "loved" what he wrote, but they had needed to halt production as they worked on availability. However, he did ponder if he had been quietly fired, asking "Am I too Black? Am I too queer? And people just don't want to say that?"[7]
On September 14, 2023, Lucasfilm confirmed that the project had officially shifted development into a film, rather than a television series. Stephen Glover had previously stated that its status as a film, rather than a series, was in discussion.[4] On February 7, 2024, Donald Glover stated that taking on Lando was not an "easy yes," and that he had done so due to liking the characters and his children's love for Star Wars. He also stated that he felt the degree of creative control that he had allowed for a more "singular" vision for the film, which he believed would make it more desirable for audiences.[8] On August 2, 2024, Simien reflected on his time with the project in an interview with Collider, stating that the iteration involving him had been shelved; however, he also mentioned that he had not been directly informed of such a decision.[9]
Credits[]
| Cast | Uncredited cast | Crew | Uncredited crew | Special thanks |
Cast
Crew
|
Appearances[]
| Characters | Organisms | Droid models | Events | Locations |
| Organizations and titles | Sentient species | Vehicles and vessels | Weapons and technology | Miscellanea |
Characters
Organizations and titles
Sentient species
Sources[]
Future Lucasfilm Projects Revealed on StarWars.com (backup link)
This Week! in Star Wars Exciting Lucasfilm Announcements, A New Story From The High Republic, and More! on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
"Launchpad" — Star Wars Insider 200
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Future Lucasfilm Projects Revealed on StarWars.com (backup link)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Exclusive: Donald Glover and Stephen Glover to Write Lucasfilm’s Lando Series as Justin Simien Exits by Jeff Sneider on Above The Line (July 27, 2023) (archived from the original on July 27, 2023)
- ↑
Disney Investor Day 2020 on The Walt Disney Company official website (backup link)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Donald Glover's 'Star Wars' Series 'Lando' Is Now a Movie by Zack Sharf on Variety (September 14, 2023) (archived from the original on September 14, 2023)
- ↑
Scout (@ScoutTheTrooper) on Twitter: "Kathy straight up said during celebration that there's zero movement on the Lando series at the moment because it all depends on Donald and he's got two different projects to do first" (backup link)
- ↑ Is Disney+'s Lando Show Still Happening? Star Wars Writer Justin Simien Gives Update (Exclusive) on The Direct (July 18, 2023) (archived from the original on July 28, 2023)
- ↑ "To Be in Hollywood Is to Be Gaslit": Justin Simien Levels Up With Disney’s 'Haunted Mansion' at a Fraught Time on The Hollywood Reporter (July 27, 2023) (archived from the original on July 30, 2023)
- ↑ Donald Glover and Maya Erskine on Real-Life Marriage, Professional Divorce and When to Walk Away by Lacey Rose on The Hollywood Reporter (February 7, 2024) (archived from the original on February 22, 2024)
- ↑ Justin Simien Admits "Grieving" Over Abandoned 'Star Wars: Lando' Series by Chris McPherson on Collider (August 2, 2024) (archived from the original on August 3, 2024)
