Since its 1970s inception, LGBTQ characters have been all but obsolete in the Star Wars universe. Until now, that is.
During an interview with Solo: A Star Wars Story screenwriters Lawrence and Jonathan Kasdan, HuffPost asked specifically about beloved character Lando Calrissian's sexuality, "Is he pansexual?"
“I would say yes,” Jonathan Kasdan replied.
The prequel follows the adventures of young Han Solo as he meets Chewbacca and the notorious gambler, Lando Calrissian.
"There’s a fluidity to Donald [Glover] and Billy Dee’s [portrayal of Lando’s] sexuality."
He goes on, "He doesn’t make any hard and fast rules. I think it’s fun. I don’t know where it will go."
While some fans applauded the representation Lando's announced pansexuality brings, many are worried the film isn't putting its money where its mouth is. Are there going to be any actually queer moments in the film?
Critics have reported copious flirtations between Lando and Han Solo, as well as with his android co-pilot. But nothing explicitly pansexual.
Kasdan acknowledges that, "I would have loved to have gotten a more explicitly LGBT character into this movie. I think it’s time, certainly, for that, and I love the fluidity ― sort of the spectrum of sexuality that Donald appeals to and that droids are a part of."
Why say a character is queer if they're not going to explore their sexuality in the movie? Are LGBT fans being lured in with flimsy promises to once again watch heterosexual romances prance around in our erasure?
Twitter was quick to respond:
