The spinoff that would bring Donald Glover’s Lando from 2018’s ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ was announced in 2020. But despite the progress in development, Disney recently shelved the show. Director Justin Simien reflected on the decision in a new chat with Collider:
“For me, the answer is that you have to really face it. It is true grief. I’ve never had a child, I’ve never lost a child, but it’s what I imagine that pain might be like. You pour so much of your heart and soul into something, but ultimately, you don’t have control over whether it lives or dies, and it is a true grieving process.”
Was The Decision Racially Motivated?
The reason behind the ‘Lando’ cancellation is not clear. The show was reportedly on hold because of the cast and crew’s availability last year. Simien shared with The Hollywood Reporter in July 2023:
“The last thing I was told was that they loved it but needed to put a pin in it until they could figure out everybody’s availability. I haven’t investigated further, but I’m not an idiot. I’m not alone in that experience.”
He explained:
“But I can’t help but wonder, ‘Am I too Black? Am I too queer? And people just don’t want to say that?’ Because it seems like I develop things with these companies and they just never happen for reasons unknown.”
Simien’s New Project For Another Franchise
The director is now focused on other projects. His new docuseries, ‘Hollywood Black,’ is set to debut on MGM+ on August 11 to delve into the Black experience in the film industry.
Simien will also direct a live-action ‘Star Trek’ comedy series featuring Tawny Newsome soon. He told Collider about the plans:
“If that’s all it ever is, wow, that’s still a childhood dream. I literally grew up watching that show and wishing I could go to space. I’m living that childhood dream right now.”
Meanwhile, other ‘Star Wars’ gigs are on the way. The Jon Favreau-directed ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ movie is coming out in May 2026, and ‘Ahsoka’ Season 2 is in development.
