5 Times Donald Glover Slays as Lando in ‘Solo’

Chris Tilly
Movies Star Wars
Movies Star Wars

WARNING: The following article contains SPOILERS for Solo. Proceed at your own risk.

Donald Glover steals pretty much every scene that he’s in as Lando Calrissian in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Playing the younger version of the character Billy Dee Williams so memorably brought to life in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, he’s the coolest guy in the galaxy. With the following his five finest moments in the new movie.

1. Impeccable Introduction

Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian.

Lando doesn’t appear until we’re a fair way into Solo, but he immediately makes his mark. Qi’ra builds the character up while describing him to Han and Chewie, stating that Calrissian has slipped through the Empire’s hands more than anyone else, referencing his looks, charisma and impeccable taste, and alluding to something more prodigious. She claims he’s a sportsman now and we cut to Lando sitting at a table, playing Sabacc. He’s wearing a yellow shirt and scarf, providing a much-needed splash of colour in the monochrome Solo universe. And when Glover flashes that big smile and states “Everything you’ve heard about me is true” he immediately becomes the star of the show.

2. Lando the Scoundrel

Coolest guy in the galaxy.

We know that Sabacc plays a big part in Han and Lando’s relationship, with Solo winning the Millennium Falcon from Calrissian during a game. And it seems like we’ll witness that fateful hand in this ‘Star Wars Story,’ with Han trying to hoodwink his opponent by betting his own non-existent ship against the Falcon, and cockily laying down his dynamite cards. But Lando beats his hand with another flash of that smile. Via a contraption that allows him to cheat. Thereby proving himself to be even more of a scoundrel than Han.

3. Cape Town

Capes are largely the domain of superheroes these days, but in Solo, Lando makes a case for them in space. His collection comes in a variety of colours, all of which Calrissian effortlessly pulls off. And they are stored in his climate-controlled, walk-in cape armoire. In the above video, Glover takes us on a tour of that closet, pointing out Lando’s ‘everyday cape,’ his ‘sister’s wedding cape’ his ‘Intergalactic President’s Day cape,’ and his cape for when it gets cold. Qi’ra suggests he maybe has too many capes in the movie. We wholeheartedly disagree.

4. The Calrissian Chronicles

We want to know what happened in Parts 1-4.

During some downtime on the Millennium Falcon, Lando doesn’t read, tinker with the ship, or contemplate the vast expanse of space. No, he records himself in hologram form, laying down Chapter 5 of what he calls “The Calrissian Chronicles.” A memoir that sounds like it paints Lando as the hero in any and every given situation. Making them stories we want to see brought to life onscreen immediately.

5. Lando the Hero

Lando's best friend, L3.

When L3-37 — who Lando definitely hasn’t had sex with — is in danger, he leaps into action. Dodging explosions and laser blasts to rescue the droid. “Save your energy, I’m going to get you out of here,” he whispers as he carries his friend to safety. But it’s too late, as L3 dies in his arms. Lando mourns the loss, and the audience finally sees him as more than just a thief and scoundrel, with Calrissian transforming into a compassionate hero with a heart of gold before our eyes.

Chris Tilly
Freelance writer. At this point my life is a combination of 1980s horror movies, Crystal Palace football matches, and episodes of I'm Alan Partridge. The first series. When he was in the travel tavern. Not the one after.