Star Wars’ Only Box Office Bomb Is Still Getting a Movie Sequel (but Will It Be a Success?)

Disney’s first few Star Wars movies were huge successes, each earning over $1 billion worldwide. But after that strong start, the franchise faced a setback. The 2018 spin-off, Solo: A Star Wars Story, didn’t do well with audiences, coming out shortly after popular films like Avengers: Infinity War and Deadpool 2. While critics generally liked Solo, it only made $392.9 million globally, which meant plans for a sequel were cancelled and the entire spin-off series was put on hold. Now, though, a follow-up to Solo is being developed, and there’s been some encouraging news about it.

During her recent interview with Deadline, outgoing Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy shared updates on several Star Wars films currently in the works. This included a planned spinoff movie centered around Lando Calrissian, which Donald Glover has written a script for. Kennedy said the project is still possible, but its future will be decided by the new Lucasfilm presidents, Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan.

Kathleen Kennedy, discussing the future of Star Wars films, explained that each project represents a risk, as none of the directors are simply recreating what’s been done before. This suggests the upcoming Lando film will be unique, although specific details haven’t been released yet.

Can Donald Glover’s Lando Movie Be a Success?

Despite not being a box office success, Solo still has some strong points. Many viewers particularly enjoyed Donald Glover’s portrayal of a young Lando Calrissian. He didn’t just copy Billy Dee Williams’ performance; he brought his own unique energy to the role while still capturing what makes the character special. Glover was very engaging and had great on-screen chemistry with the other actors. The playful rivalry between Han and Lando was a highlight, and it made their relationship in The Empire Strikes Back even more interesting.

Donald Glover’s portrayal of Lando Calrissian has been so well-received that audiences would likely be excited to see him lead his own Star Wars story. He’s also creatively involved in the development of the project, which gives it even more promise. Glover is an award-winning creator – his work on shows like Atlanta and Mr. and Mrs. Smith has earned him Emmys and proven his talent for innovative and engaging storytelling. It would be fantastic to see his unique vision for a Star Wars film. He’s previously expressed a desire to make a Lando movie that feels like the classic, enjoyable Star Wars adventures of the past.

A series focusing on Lando Calrissian and his adventures in the Star Wars galaxy could be really entertaining. However, Disney needs to consider if a Lando-centric film would be profitable. Its connection to the underperforming Solo movie might be a problem, as Disney might be hesitant to approve a project so closely tied to that box office disappointment. Given Disney’s current plan to produce fewer projects, it’s also unclear if there’s room for a smaller Star Wars story focused on a single character. Other recent projects like The Mandalorian & Grogu and the planned Starfighter film have broader storylines, including conflicts involving the New Republic and exciting lightsaber battles. After one smaller-scale Star Wars attempt didn’t succeed, Disney executives might be unwilling to take the risk on another one.

While Solo wasn’t a huge box office success, a key reason was its unexpectedly high cost – the budget grew to over $300 million because of extensive reshoots after a change in directors. Solo was originally planned as a more affordable film, and if a Lando series is considered, keeping production costs down would be crucial. A smaller-scale, mid-budget crime story within the Star Wars universe could be a great addition, demonstrating the franchise’s potential for diverse storytelling. Not every Star Wars movie needs to be a massive, epic adventure.

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2026-01-18 18:44