Donald Glover has quickly become one of the biggest mysteries in geek culture this year. The actor has joined the cast of Spider-Man: Homecoming in a mystery role, one which we’ve heard Sony is keeping the details of under tight wraps. Some speculate that this means he is playing a key role in the film while others presume it might be to keep hype of his involvement at high levels over a what might turn out to be a minor role.
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Part of the excitement, though, is due to the fact that Glover once tweeted about having interest in playing Spider-Man. “The Internet is a strange box,” Glover says. “It was weird to see that full circle. I only did it because I thought it was a cool role. I’m never going to do something just because. I’d rather take a risk, at least right now when I can still do that. It’s just weird.”
Glover has apparently wrapped production on the standalone Spidey flick, adding, “The movie was fun to shoot.”
“I’m glad I got the opportunity,” he says before commenting on the impressive amount of diversity in the film. “You don’t want it to feel like some sort of affirmative action. This wasn’t that at all. I know the director, he’s doing a really good job and good ideas.”
Spider-Man role aside, there’s still one more big rumor regarding Glover recently: his involvement in the Star Wars franchise as a young Lando Calrissian. Time asked Glover about the rumor directly but he dodged answering, leaving the rumor up for even more speculation.
“I mean, I grew up on it,” Glover says of the Star Wars franchise. “My dad was a big fan. I had all the toys when I was little. I had a Darth Vader with the lightsaber he has. It was cool. It’s a dynasty. It’s like the bible. I love that franchise.”
As for whether or not Glover would be a good fit for the role, ComicBook.com’s Star Wars expert Lucas Seigel weighed in.
“I’ve been a fan of Glover since the launch of his mega-career with Community,” says Seigel. “I remember seeing him do standup to a small New York club with an audience of about 60 people. He has the swagger, humor, approachability, and the sense that he’s just a genuine person that could get up to no good at a moment’s notice – all the major aspects that Billy Dee Williams brought to Lando Calrissian in the original Star Wars trilogy. Throw in his respect for the source material and his vocal and public love of all things nerd culture, and it’s easy to see why fans have already rallied around Donald Glover as a great fit for young Lando.”
In addition to acting, Glover has also launched a fruitfully successful career as a musician under the name Childish Gambino. He has earned a pair of nominations for his work as a rapper on top of several wins and even more nominations for his work on television.
Spider-Man: Homecoming hits theaters July 7, 2017. The Han Solo film which is rumored to include Glover as the young Lando is currently set for release on May 25, 2018.
