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Billy Dee Williams 'wouldn’t say no' to Han Solo spinoff cameo

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Star Wars veteran Billy Dee Williams would love to make a cameo in the planned Han Solo spinoff movie alongside his Lando Calrissian successor Donald Glover.

Atlanta star Glover will take over the character originated by Williams in 1980’s Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, and Episode VI - Return of the Jedi in 1983, with Hail Caesar!’s Alden Ehrenreich stepping into Harrison Ford’s shoes as the titular hero.

Williams recently met up with Glover to discuss the role over lunch, and the 79-year-old’s first impressions of the young actor/rapper were very positive.

“He’s a very delightful young man, I must say,” he tells The Hollywood Reporter. “We had a very nice lunch and we talked for a very long time and it was very easy.

“He had questions about (Lando). I guess he was doing what normal actors do, they just want to find out what direction they want to take so they gather their information. So, we just sat and talked, and I didn’t want to impose on anything he wanted to do - he’s got his own ideas, I would imagine. I know he has his own ideas. He’s a very talented young man. In fact, I was listening to some of his music (as his rap alter ego Childish Gambino) and it’s pretty good stuff.”

Williams adds, “Donald is eclectic, I think that’s really important particularly for the character of Lando. He is particularly eclectic in the way he approaches his art. When I talked to him I really got the sense of him being a worldly person.”

Despite his high praise for Glover, Williams admits he still has reservations about Star Wars producers expanding on his character’s story, especially without his involvement.

“I identify so much with Lando,” he shares. “I mean, Lando has been very much a part of my life for over 30 years. When I go out and do conventions and stuff like that, even though people know me from all the other things that I’ve done, certainly (Lando) takes precedence. I just never thought of anybody else being Lando. I just see myself as Lando.”

However, Williams accepts all good things must come to an end: “Eventually something else has to happen with it,” he laments. “But I’m not saying goodbye to that character. It’s still very much a part of my life. I created that character.”

And even though he won’t be reprising his famous Lando role onscreen in the Han Solo standalone release, Williams would jump at the opportunity to make a guest appearance.

“If they asked me, I wouldn’t say no,” he smiles.

The Han Solo project will also star Woody Harrelson and Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke, and is set for release next year.

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