Justin Simien has nothing but good thoughts about the people who replaced him as writer on Disney+’s upcoming “Star Wars” series focused on Lando Calrissian, Donald Glover and Stephen Glover.
“Donald is a national treasure. Glad he and Stephen get to carry the character forward their way,” Simien wrote in an Instagram story Thursday night. “Can’t wait to see. Rooting for everybody Black.”
Here’s how it looked:
Simien was originally tapped to develop the story for the show, but the “Dear White People” writer exited last year in order to direct on another Disney project, “The Haunted Mansion,” which hits theaters this week.
As first reported by Above the Line, Glover was approached to write the series after Simien’s exit, deals were made months before the double strike that has brought Hollywood to a virtual standstill.
Simien also revealed on Instagram that he didn’t find out about the Glovers’ deal to write the series until it was reported Thursday night.
“Lando,” first announced in December 2020, will focus on the version of the character portrayed by Glover in “Solo: A Star Wars Story.” Plot details haven’t been revealed but “Solo” took place about 10 years before the events of the original “Star Wars.” It’s been 5 years since that film hit theaters so assuming the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes are resolved sooner than later, presumably “Lando” will depict events concurrent with prequel shows like “Andor,” as opposed to “The Mandalorian,” which takes place around 5-7 years after “Return of the Jedi.
Donald and Stephen Glover are frequent collaborators, most recently with writing of the Prime Video Emmy-nominated limited series “Swarm,” starring Dominique Fishback. Both Glovers are represented by WME.
You can see Simien’s story for yourself here, until it disappears of course. Sigh, ok Instagram.)
