In 2020, Disney announced that, among a slate of other TV series and movies coming to its streaming service Disney+, a mini-series focused on Star Wars character Lando Calrissian was in development, titled Lando.
However, there’s been little word on the series since, except for a cryptic comment from Donald Glover, who played a young Lando in Solo. Even without much confirmed about the series so far, there are plenty of mistakes that Disney/Lucasfilm has to avoid with the series if it’s going to have a memorable pop culture and Star Wars impact.
The Prequel Problem
In part because of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, prequel stories have gained a reputation for disappointment among fans. A major issue is the lack of stakes; fans know how the stories will end, and so the conflict has already been resolved.
One solution is to have prequels that feel different from their originators, which allows for new ground and genres to be explored within the same universe. It’s worked for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as for the reinvention of the X-Men and Transformers franchises. This innovation could help Lando stand out and justify its existence.
Feeling Like a Movie Side Story
Along with the issue of prequels comes another concern: feeling like the series is just the story of what’s somewhere else at the same time the movies take place. Although Rogue One was generally well-received, its biggest problem was that it was beholden to A New Hope.
Lando shouldn’t just be about what Lando Calrissian was doing at this point in the Skywalker Saga. It should be about what Lando was doing at this point in his story. Connections to the greater universe can definitely work, and should be incorporated, but the show has to stand on its own merits, as well.
Poor Pacing
It’s a common complaint with TV shows in the streaming era: there’s always an episode or two that’s skippable because very little happens in it. Or, there is a series of episodes in a season focused on a side story that viewers don’t care about.
Lando needs to make sure that its story has narrative momentum all the way through, and that if it does contain a side story, then the story should (1) be interesting on its own while also (2) eventually tying into the main story and being paid off satisfactorily by the finale.
Bad Supporting Characters
Star Wars has plenty of bad characters, although none are perhaps as loathed as Jar Jar Binks. But supporting characters don’t have to be annoying to be bad supports; being boring in some cases is even worse.
Ensemble casts can make TV shows so fun to watch, because often there’s a character for every viewer to latch onto. However, Lando‘s supporting cast not only has to avoid having a Jar Jar Binks, but every member of it also has to have a specific purpose for being on the show so that their presence is compelling. Otherwise, the story suffers.
Sanitizing the Characters
With the Star Wars acquisition by Disney came concerns that the company’s family-friendly image would affect the franchise’s content. The concern isn’t completely unfounded: Disney+ moved gay teen drama Love, Victor to Hulu seemingly out of concerns for adult themes (although that changes this June), and the Netflix Marvel shows moving there meant Disney+ instituted an age-rating system.
No matter when it takes place, Lando is about a morally-questionable galactic scoundrel. While the show doesn’t need to be R-rated, it needs to be allowed to explore its characters without having to conform to the Disney image first and foremost.
Ignoring One Era Entirely
The era in which Lando takes place hasn’t been confirmed yet, so there’s no telling whether he’ll be played by Billy Dee Williams, Danny Glover, or another actor yet to be cast. However, one thing that shouldn’t happen is that one era of the character’s history is ignored.
With Williams having returned to the role for The Rise of Skywalker, there’s potential for the show to be a tale about his entire life, spanning multiple eras. But even if one time period becomes the focus, flashbacks or flashforwards should be employed at least somewhat to more fully encompass the character’s story.
Han Solo
There’d be no Lando Calrissian without Han Solo, just as Donald Glover wouldn’t have become Lando without Solo: A Star Wars Story. It’s inevitable that Han Solo will be involved in the show in some way, even if just through references; his absence entirely would be absolutely glaring.
At the same time, The Book of Boba Fett turned into The Mandalorian Season 2.5 when Din Djarin entered the picture, and Han Solo having a major role in Lando would do the same thing. Han Solo needs to be gently balanced when it comes to his role in the show.
Retconning Elements
When it comes to changing elements of a previous story in future installments, Star Wars is no stranger to controversial retcons. In fact, after Disney acquired Lucasfilm, it declared the popular Expanded Universe material outside of The Clone Wars to be non-canon, so that it could start with a clean slate.
However, major Star Wars retcons post-Disney need to stop. Even though Solo was a disappointment, it’s part of the new canon, and should be embraced. Lando may not deal with previously-established material, but if it does, it needs to stick with what’s come before.
Subverting Expectations Just For Surprise Value
For critics of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the phrase “subverting expectations” is almost like a dirty two-word phrase. Although it wasn’t the only aspect of the movie that came in for complaint, it was a big one, and it’s why The Rise of Skywalker retconned Last Jedi so much.
As with all compelling dramas, Lando should strive to surprise audiences, and not just simply give in to fan service. At the same time, if the subversion is done just for surprise, rather than the story, it’s meaningless. Put it this way: if the subversion is less effective than the normal path, choose the normal path.
Putting the Franchise Before the Show
The Marvel Cinematic Universe from its very beginning was built on the idea of creating an expansive world, and it began with Iron Man‘s post-credits scene. But Star Wars isn’t Marvel, and expanded movie universes are no longer a novelty anyway.
The show must come first. If a character or setting makes an impact during the show that warrants a spinoff, then that works, but it works because the spinoff develops naturally. Force should only be used by Jedi, not studios who want a ton of spinoffs for the sake of money.
