Billy Dee Williams Says "There's Only One Lando Calrissian"

While Billy Dee Wiliams knows Donald Glover needs "to take care of the 21st [century]" for Lando Calrissian, the actor still believes he's the "only one" for the iconic Star Wars character. Williams opened up about his relationship with Glover while talking about the smuggler and gambler he brought to life in 1980's The Empire Strikes Back with RadioTimes.

The two apparently had "a nice little lunch" at one point, per Williams, with the actor noting Glover is "a delightful young man" and "extremely talented." However, "when it comes to Lando Calrissian, there's only one Lando Calrissian. I created that character," Williams said.

That doesn't mean Williams is against Glover shaping the character as he sees fit going forward, though. Glover took on the role of Lando in 2018's Solo: A Star Wars Story and is currently working on a Star Wars movie about the smuggler. The Lando project originally started as a TV show for Disney+ but has since morphed into a film.

"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."

Williams was last seen as Lando in 2019's Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. The 86-year-old actor would reprise the role again for "a lot of money," he said earlier this month. The only project that seemingly would make sense for his return is the in-development Star Wars movie focusing on Rey. That said, there is no release window or even final name for that film yet.

Next up for Star Wars is The Acolyte, which will premiere June 4 on Disney+. The show is set at the end of the High Republic era--about 100 years before The Phantom Menace.