For the last several years, there’s been increased pressure from the public to have better LBGTQ+ representation in their blockbuster films. Last year, we had an LGBTQ+ character pop up in a Marvel film (Valkyrie in “Thor: Ragnarok”), and now, it appears that the galaxy far, far away is getting a bit of diverse sexuality, as well.
According to the screenwriters behind “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” fan-favorite Lando Calrissian, as played by Donald Glover, is pansexual. We’ll keep the spoilers to a minimum (we discuss it more in detail below), but needless to say, the idea of Lando’s sexuality is explored in the upcoming ‘Solo.’
When asked by the Huffington Post if Lando is has a more fluid sexuality, and is pansexual, co-writer Jonathan Kasdan emphatically said, “I would say yes.”
“There’s a fluidity to Donald and Billy Dee’s [portrayal of Lando’s] sexuality,” Kasdan continued. “I mean, I would have loved to have gotten a more explicitly LGBT character into this movie. I think it’s time, certainly, for that, and I love the fluidity ― sort of the spectrum of sexuality that Donald appeals to…”
“He doesn’t make any hard and fast rules. I think it’s fun,” Kasdan said. “I don’t know where it will go.”
So, there you have it, Lando Calrissian is now the first confirmed pansexual in the “Star Wars” films. Now, if you want a more detailed explanation of how it fits in to ‘Solo,’ then keep reading.
*SPOILERS AHEAD* (but more character details than plot)
In ‘Solo,’ Lando and his droid, L3-37 (a motion-capture performance by British actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge), have what you might call a “special relationship.” She’s essentially a feisty, sentient droid who fights for equal rights and free will. “She has a social conscience, which is really great to play,” Waller-Bridge, told USA Today this week. “There’s a fire in her belly and something she cares about.” More relevant however is the fact that L3-37 suggests not only a romantic relationship in the film — claiming Lando is in love with her — but a sexual one, hinting that there’s been hanky-panky before.
It’s not necessarily confirmed in the film, but Q’ira (Emilia Clarke), at one point in the movie does ask “how does that work?” in terms of how they would get it on. It’s probably what Kasdan is trying to hint around here. Perhaps nothing and no one is off limits for Lando a character that reveals later on that he truly cares for L3-37.
When HuffPo asked about the potential love affair, co-writer Lawrence Kasdan said, “That is her personality. Maybe it means something, maybe it doesn’t.”
“Solo: A Star Wars Story” comes out May 25 so you’ll be able to judge for yourself.