Billy Dee Williams Thinks Lando's Pansexuality Was a Mistake

It was less than two weeks ago that the internet thought Billy Dee Williams, Star Wars’ original Lando Calrissian, had come out as gender fluid.

He was quick to correct everyone when he discovered how his comments had been interpreted, and even threw in the bonus information that he’s definitely “not gay—by any stretch of the imagination.”

It was a bit of a let down to some who had appreciated Williams’ openness in using both male and female pronouns to address himself, but overall, he was still just being honest about who he is.

Now, however, as the Star Wars cast continues giving interviews in preparation for the upcoming film, Williams has said something a little stranger. He seems to be at least partly blaming the underwhelming box office return for Solo: A Star Wars Story on the fact that Donald Glover’s younger iteration of Lando was pansexual.

“I think that’s the reason they didn’t have the success they could have had,” he told Rolling Stone, noting how Lando may have been in love with his droid. “Because they were going for something that was topical, instead of an adventure that’s far beyond those questions.”

“If you’re talking about this huge, incredible story, why lock yourself into this tiny moment between a character like Lando and his robot friend?”

It’s a strange POV when speaking about a franchise that yes, has always been about grand adventures, but is constantly celebrated for the smaller moments connecting its characters in the middle of these death defying scenarios.

Though Williams had previously praised Glover, who was very supportive of Lando being pansexual, for how he had played the role, he now has criticisms for the younger actor’s take on the character as well.

“To me, I’m Lando,” he said, understandably. “I love that Donald Glover. He’s a brilliant young. But his hair was not how I thought of Lando. He was more Afrocentric with his hair. I have nothing against that. But when I created Lando, he was beyond all of that.”

So to recap, Lando should be beyond identifying with black culture, but should not be beyond identifying with heteronormative sexuality.

Williams will always be the original Lando, but...we're gonna have to side with Glover on Lando's pansexuality.