Billy Dee Williams Says Donald Glover Is ‘Extremely Talented’ and ‘Imaginative,’ but ‘There’s Only One Lando Calrissian’: ‘I Created That Character’

Billy Dee Williams, who originated the role of Lando Calrissian in the “Star Wars” franchise, spoke to Radio Times about Donald Glover‘s portrayal of the smooth-talking smuggler turned rebel hero.

“I had a nice little lunch with him. He’s a delightful young man. Extremely talented,” Williams said. “But I don’t see him… I mean, when it comes to Lando Calrissian there’s only one Lando Calrissian. I created that character.”

Williams also shared the only advice he gave Glover about playing Lando: “I told him to be charming – two words! That’s all I needed to tell him. That’s all I could think of.”

Glover made his debut as a young Lando in the 2018 “Star Wars” prequel “Solo.” A Lando Calrissian limited series for Disney+ was first announced in 2020, with “Dear White People” creator Justin Simien attached to the project. News then broke in July 2023 that brothers Donald and Stephen Glover would replace Simien as the writers of the “Lando” series, which is now being developed as a movie.

“He’s part of a whole new generation. He’ll create whatever he needs to create, to bring appeal to the character,” Williams said of Glover. “He’s a very talented young lad and very imaginative. I mean, it’s not for me to say what he should do with the character at this stage.”

“I took care of the 20th century, now he’s got to take care of the 21st,” Williams added.

Asked if he would ever put Lando’s cape back on for another “Star Wars” project, Williams said, “Pay me a lot of money and I’ll sell my soul.”