Iconic rapper A$AP Rocky reveals details of “trash” audition for Solo: A Star Wars Story

Solo: A Star Wars Story brought Donald Glover to the screen as Lando Calrissian. However, besides him, another hip-hop star was considered for this role. It's the same star who is soon expected to be at the Cannes Film Festival with Denzel Washington for Spike Lee's Highest 2 Lowest and the one who recently starred alongside Rose Byrne in If I Had Legs I'd Kick You.

Yes, A$AP Rocky (Rakim Mayers) was once considered for the role of Lando in Solo: A Star Wars Story, previously played by Billy Dee Williams. In a recent interview with Variety, the rapper opened up about his audition process and revealed that it was "trash" and admired Donald Glover, AKA Childish Gambino's, performance.

"I auditioned for “ Star Wars” — for Lando — and my audition was trash. I was trash that day. My man Childish Gambino [Donald Glover] was a way better Lando than I would’ve provided at that time. And I think he looked a little more like [Billy Dee Williams] than me."

However, Rocky seems interested in wielding the lightsaber another time if he receives such an opportunity.

"Hell, yeah," he said when asked about his interest in starring in another Star Wars project.

Solo: A Star Wars Story: The Star Wars project that could have starred A$AP Rocky

Solo: A Star Wars Story brought a classic story from the lore to the screen through a fascinating lens as it revolved around Han Solo and Chewbacca's origin story. At the time, Alden Ehrenreich took over the role of Han, iconically played by Harrison Ford. He was joined by the Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke, Westworld star Thandiwe Newton, True Detective star Woody Harrelson, Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and WandaVision star Paul Bettany.

Another reimagined role in Solo: A Star Wars Story was that of Lando Calrissian. It went to Donald Glover, who is known for his writing, directing, and acting career, besides his work as a hip-hop artist under the moniker Childish Gambino. Although considered a box office disappointment, Solo: A Star Wars Story earned a positive response for Glover and Ehrenreich's acting performances. According to A$AP Rocky's recent interview for Variety, he was also one of the potential choices for Childish Gambino's role.

What is A$AP Rocky up to in 2025? The rapper's upcoming acting roles explored

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Even though A$AP Rocky missed out on a role in Solo: A Star Wars Story, he earned a few more exciting projects along the way. The most notable one must be the latest Spike Lee joint that brings him into the role of a Yung Felony. The film will reimagine the premise of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 classic, which itself was based on a book. While booking this role, Rocky was caught up in a legal battle. So, this role might have hit too close to home for him. When asked about the same, Rocky told Variety,

“That’s why I was able to embody the character so well. I was able to act like a piece of s*it who was going away for a long time but didn’t realize the consequences, because, in real life, I knew exactly what the consequences felt like.”

Solo: A Star Wars Story is available to stream on Disney+.