Apologies, Donald Glover, but Billy Dee Williams remains his own favorite Lando Calrissian

By M Muzamil Shami

"Williams remarked that he had handled the challenges of the 20th century, leaving his successor to manage those of the 21st."

Billy Dee Williams has an undeniable fondness for one thing: himself, Billy Dee Williams.

The actor, renowned for his smooth demeanor akin to a frosty Colt-45, recently engaged in a discussion with Radio Times regarding his iconic portrayal of Lando Calrissian, the charming intergalactic gambler and entrepreneur from Star Wars' Cloud City.

Although Williams respects Donald Glover, who assumed the role in 2018's Solo: A Star Wars Story, he believes that nobody can truly embody Lando except himself.

"I enjoyed a pleasant lunch with him. He's a charming young man, incredibly talented," Williams remarked about Glover. "However, when it comes to Lando Calrissian, there's no one quite like the original. I brought that character to life."

      Lando Calrissian: Portrayed by Billy Dee Williams and Donald Glover. [Image credit: Lucasfilm/Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock; Lucasfilm Ltd.]

Williams made his debut as Lando in 1980's "The Empire Strikes Back," famously betraying his old friend Han Solo, which resulted in Han being frozen in carbonite. However, Lando later redeems himself by aiding Han's allies in escaping the clutches of the Empire. In the subsequent installment, 1983's "Return of the Jedi," Lando plays a crucial role in the mission to rescue Han from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt.

However, Star Wars fans never fully accepted Lando's betrayal, leading Williams to repeatedly justify Lando's actions to strangers throughout the years.

"So, I ended up elaborating on all of these details until I reached a moment where I just had to say, 'Enough, I'm exhausted from all this explaining,'" Williams shared with EW's Dagobah Dispatch podcast. "I mean, did anyone actually perish? No one did! I believe that was a distinct sign that Lando was grappling with something, primarily how to navigate his circumstances while ensuring his friend's survival."

Williams once more took on the role in the 2019 film "The Rise of Skywalker."

"When Glover assumed the role of Calrissian for a new era, Williams offered him succinct advice: "Be charming." Now, Glover is poised to don the iconic cape once more, delving deeper into Lando's saga by co-writing a film alongside his brother Stephen Glover."

Initially assigned to pen a Lando TV series, the duo replaced Justin Simien from Dear White People. However, the project was halted due to the writers' strike. Williams values Lando's history dearly but eagerly anticipates Donald Glover's vision for his future.

"Belonging to a fresh generation, he possesses the ingenuity to craft whatever is necessary to infuse the character with allure," remarked Williams. "He's remarkably skilled and brimming with imagination. As for the direction he takes the character, that's not my place to dictate at this juncture."

Lando, the original gangster, remarked, "I handled the 20th century; now it's his turn to manage the 21st."