Glover Was The Perfect Choice For 'Star Wars'

The Star Wars universe is welcoming a new member with open arms. Atlanta star Donald Glover has been recruited to the franchise's upcoming Han Solo film to take on the iconic character of Lando Calrissian — and he has big shoes to fill. Glover joins Alden Ehrenreich (who will play Han Solo) in the film, which will follow young versions of the characters in a time of their lives fans haven't yet seen. The film, which will be primarily focus on Han Solo, is expected to debut in 2018, and is directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Star Wars fan or not, this news requires pop culture lovers and anyone with curiosity to go down memory lane and revisit the original character, played by Billy Dee Williams.

The character, originally brought to life by Williams, is the "smooth-talking smuggler" who left his scheming ways to fight the Empire. In the new film, fans will get a deeper look at Lando's life as a "scoundrel on the rise," before Han, Leia, and Darth Vader were even in the picture. For many, it's difficult to separate the actors from their iconic roles in the franchise. Carrie Fisher is Princess Leia. Harrison Ford is Han Solo. And Billie Dee Williams is Lando Calrissian. But I have a feeling Glover will have no problem paying ode to those before him.

For a visual, here's Williams's original Lando Calrissian:

And another for good measure:

And now, his successor:

The legacy lives on. Actually, OK, it goes back in time. But who's counting?

With Glover's many talents, it will be impossible for him to not bring his A-game. You may know him from his career as a rapper named Childish Gambino, or you may know him from his current FX series Atlanta — but now, get ready to know him in space. Welcome to the galaxy, sir.

Images: 20th Century Fox (2)