Donald Glover Comments on His Star Wars Role for the First Time

Donald Glover is everywhere these days. He’s got the critically acclaimed Atlanta, which he created and stars in, currently airing on FX. On top of that, it was recently announced that Glover would be playing Lando Calrissian in the forthcoming young Han Solo Star Wars film.

During an interview on Ellen, Glover gave his first comment on the news, and how special it was to get the chance to play the part. “I told my dad immediately,” said Glover. “He was like, ‘Aww.’ My mom was in the back; she was like, ‘Don’t mess it up! Don’t mess this up,’ because Billy Dee, like, that’s hers.”

Glover also noted that Lando was his first action figure. “It’s really crazy,” he said. “I don’t know. I’m very honored. It’s a very big deal.” Calrissian was first introduced in 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back, in which he was played by Billy Dee Williams.

“It’s not weird,” said DeGeneres. “You say it’s crazy, but you kind of put it out there that you want to be in Star Wars, you put it out there that you want to be in Spider-Man, and both of those things happened.”

Glover campaigned long and hard for the role of Spider-Man, and though Tom Holland was ultimately cast in the part, Glover was cast in Spider-Man: Homecoming in a role that is still fairly mysterious. Atlanta airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. EST on FX. Check out the full clip of Glover’s interview above.