No film franchise is as super-secretive as Star Wars. So when the folks behind the upcoming episodes and anthology films talk, we listen! Today’s Movie Morsels has Donald Glover telling us about his preparations to play Lando Calrissian, as well as director Rian Johnson giving us some info on what’s in store for Rey in Episode VIII. Plus, James Gunn on Star-Lord’s daddy issues in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, a new clip from Justice League Dark, and more!
Han Solo Star Wars Anthology Film
While I’m sure I’ll forever regard Billy Dee Williams as the definitive Lando Calrissian, the multitalented Donald Glover brings so much of himself to every project he works on that I’ve no doubt his take on the conman-turned-Rebel hero in the Han Solo prequel film will fast become a fan-favorite. Glover had a few words to say about his role after winning two awards for his TV show Atlanta at this week’s Golden Globes.
“Lando’s a big deal to me,” said the actor. “It was literally the first toy I ever got. When you have something that’s kind of iconic… where people pay attention to it, it’s hard because you want to live up to the expectation. But all you can do is live up to your own. And Star Wars is really high… I really just want to have fun. The directors: [Christopher Miller and Phil Lord], they’re amazing. I love the guy who is playing Han [Alden Ehrenreich]. It’s going to be a good time. It’s going to be fun. I’m getting ready to just have fun with those guys.”
When asked how he’s preparing to play Lando, Glover jokingly remarked, “Not getting to eat anything enjoyable for the rest of my life.”
Star Wars: Episode VIII
In another corner of the vast Star Wars universe, director Rian Johnson tells USA Today exactly why Episode VIII will begin immediately after The Force Awakens instead of following the time break we’ve seen between previous installments of the saga: “I don’t want to skip ahead two years, I want to see the very next moment of what happens.”
As for Rey’s journey under the tutelage of Luke Skywalker in the film, Johnson explains that “‘a large part’ of the movie will be addressing why Luke’s there as well as his purpose moving forward. ‘Part of what’s she’s dealing with is the realization that she has this power and this gift… She’s taking her first step to coming to terms with this thing inside her that she never knew was there and is just starting to reveal its potential.'”
For more on Episode VIII, check out Nerdist News below!
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy wore its affinity for Star Wars on its sleeve, particularly in Star-Lord’s mysteriously absent father, whom we now know will be played by Kurt Russell in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Gunn elaborates on the relationship between the two in USA Today‘s 2017 movie preview: “It runs the gamut of emotions for [Peter], wanting to understand why his father wasn’t around to quickly idolizing him and ultimately learning the reality of the relationship and comparing the man who sired him to the man who raised him.”
Justice League Dark
While many would argue that Zack Snyder’s Justice League is already looking pretty darn dark, the DC animated film Justice League Dark is the first official feature-length movie chronicling the adventures of the company’s occult heroes, including John Constantine, Zatanna, and Swamp Thing. Here’s a new clip of the regular ol’ Justice League members (still wearing their New 52-inspired apparel) addressing the situation that prompts them to call on the supernatural for assistance…
[Warner Bros. Home Entertainment]
Baywatch
Finally today… TV’s Baywatch was beloved for its gripping drama, its suspenseful plots, and its multilayered characters. Characters who… Aw, who the hell am I kidding — it was about watching scantily clad, rock-hard bodies running in slow motion on the beach. A tradition to which the international trailers for the Baywatch film adaptation hilariously adhere…
What do you think of today’s top stories? Let us know below!
Featured Image: Lucasfilm/Disney
Images: Lucasfilm/20th Century Fox, Lucasfilm/Disney, Marvel/Disney
