Star Wars: Donald Glover cast as Lando Calrissian in young Han Solo movie

The rumours were true: Donald Glover is the new Lando Calrissian.

The ‘Atlanta’ and ‘Community’ star’s casting in the upcoming ‘Han Solo’ movie was announced at the official Star Wars website today, confirming that the “acclaimed actor, award-winning writer, and Grammy-nominated artist” will portray the original owner of the Millennium Falcon, and future destroyer of the Death Star.

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Glover takes over the role made famous by Billy Dee Williams in ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ and ‘Return of the Jedi.’

The official statement notes, “Glover will join Alden Ehrenreich — previously cast as Han Solo — in bringing two iconic ‘Star Wars’ characters back to the big screen, but at a time in their lives previously unexplored.

“This new film depicts Lando in his formative years as a scoundrel on the rise in the galaxy’s underworld.”

The film’s directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (‘The Lego Movie,’ ’21 Jump Street’) said, “We’re so lucky to have an artist as talented as Donald join us… These are big shoes to fill, and an even bigger cape, and this one fits him perfectly, which will save us money on alterations.

“Also, we’d like to publicly apologize to Donald for ruining Comic-Con for him forever.”

The as-yet untitled movie is set for release at an as-yet unspecified date in 2018.

Picture Credit: WENN, Lucasfilm