‘Star Wars’: Donald Glover to Play Young Lando Calrissian in Han Solo Movie

May the force be with you, Donald Glover. The “Atlanta” star has landed the role 

of Lando Calrissian in the Han Solo stand alone starring Alden Ehrenreich.

The pic will be set prior to “Star Wars: A New Hope,” like the other upcoming 

standalone project, “Rogue One.”

Testing for the role of Calrissian has been going on for months with actors like 

O’Shea Jackson, Jason Mitchell and “The Get Down”‘s Yahya Abdul-Mateen 

among those who have tested. Glover was considered the favorite but just to be 

sure co-directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller decided to do a second round of tests 

earlier this month with Glover and Mitchell eventually tapping Glover for the role.

There was some worry that scheduling with Glover’s hit show “Atlanta” and the 

Han Solo shoot would be an issue as the series was just given a second season. 

Since Glover is also the creator and heads the writers room for the show, there 

was a worry that his commitment to running the room which opens in January, 

would create scheduling issues but sources have since said those conflicts have 

been resolved.

Variety first reported that Zoe Kravitz, Naomi Scott and Tessa Thompson had recently 

tested for the female lead and it was believed that Glover had tested around the same 

time.

Production on the untitled Han Solo film is expected to begin in January.

Played originally by Billy Dee Williams in “Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the 

Jedi,” the character is a fan favorite in the “Star Wars” universe and it was unknown, 

until recently, if he would be making an appearance in any of these standalone movies.

The Han Solo prequel will  hit theaters May 25, 2018.

The latest movie in the blockbuster franchise, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” 

opened in December and has hauled more than $2 billion worldwide.

Glover currently stars in FX’s “Atlanta” and also recently wrapped production 

on “Spider-Man: Homecoming.”

Glover is repped by WME.