It’s been an exciting couple of months for Donald Glover. First, the new FX comedy series that he created and stars in, Atlanta, turned out to be one of the biggest critical successes of last year, and went on to win awards fairly quickly after its first season ended. Then the actor and musician was just recently announced to be playing Simba in Jon Favreau’s upcoming live-action adaptation of The Lion King for Disney, where he’ll be starring alongside James Earl Jones. But on top of all of that, Glover was also cast as a young version of Lando Calrissian in Disney’s still untitled, young Han Solo anthology film, from directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller.

So suffice it to say, Glover has been on a bit of a roll as of late, and one that doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. Principal photography on young Han Solo officially began this week, and he was front and center alongside Alden Ehrenreich and Chewbacca in the first cast photo from the film, standing inside the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon.

The actor has talked previously about the responsibility he feels to make sure he does the iconic character justice. And speaking recently with Real 92.3 in LA, Glover talked briefly about why he didn’t really have a choice when he was offered the role:

Considering just how beloved and memorable Billy Dee Williams’ performance as Lando Calrissian in the Original Trilogy was and still is, it speaks volumes about how well-received Glover’s casting in the role has been. He’s been noticeably sporting a mustache curiously similar to Lando’s over the past few months, ever since he was initially cast, and joins an impressive cast of young and veteran actors in what might just be Disney’s riskiest Star Wars film yet.

“There’s a lot of pressure when you walk down the street, people are like ‘yo I’m excited about that Lando thing’ - I’m excited, it’s a respectful role, it’s really cool iconic role, you couldn’t say no to it.” - “People are excited about it, but I also get to do it in a new way, and I take it really seriously, I’ve been studying everyday!”

Before the Han Solo standalone or The Lion King hit theaters, however, the actor will also be fulfilling one of his longtime wishes by starring in Marvel and Sony’s Spider-Man: Homecoming later this July. After years of fans petitioning for him to play Miles Morales, Glover’s inclusion in the new Spider-Man film is yet another welcome reminder that the Spider-Man character is in safe hands again, even if his actual role in the film is still being kept under wraps. Odds are it won’t be someone nearly as iconic as Simba or Lando, but it all just adds up to what will undoubtedly go down as the beginning of a long time in the spotlight for the actor and musician.

Next: Star Wars: Han Solo Movie Title May Be Revealed At D23

Source: Real 92.3

  • Star Wars 8 Release Date: 2017-12-15 Han Solo Release Date: 2018-05-25