The media seems to be very interested in actor Billy Dee Williams’ opinion on sexuality for some reason. After Esquire attempted to twist his words and imply that he is gender-fluid, Rolling Stone magazine recently published an interview in which the actor gives his thoughts on Star Wars’ character Lando Calrissian’s portrayal in “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” which depicts a younger Han Solo. 

In the interview, Williams criticizes how the character he originally brought to the silver screen was written for the prequel, taking issue with Calrissian’s apparent pansexuality. “I think that’s the reason they didn’t have the success they could have had,” he said. “Because they were going for something that was topical, instead of an adventure that’s far beyond those questions. If you’re talking about this huge, incredible story, why lock yourself into this tiny moment between a character like Lando and his robot friend?”

After the release of “Solo,” screenwriter Jonathan Kasdan stated that Lando was suddenly a pansexual, which means he is sexually attracted to anyone regardless of sex, gender, or in this case, lack of humanity. In the movie, he is depicted as being in love with his droid companion. 

No seriously. Someone in Hollywood actually thought this would be a good idea.

But it appears that this is the direction Disney wishes to take the Star Wars franchise. Kasdan also said, “I mean, 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.”

After the interview with Esquire, in which the magazine attempted to paint him as gender-fluid, Williams spoke with The Undefeated and further clarified his comments as only he could: “What the hell is gender fluid?” He said. “But what I was talking about was men getting in touch with their softer side of themselves.”

With all of the talk of impeachment and the 2020 election right around the corner, it’s easy to get so caught up in political theater that we forget what’s going on in the culture. Now that Disney owns Star Wars, it’s highly likely that they will start injecting more leftist tropes into the series instead of focusing on actual storytelling. 

As Williams intimated, injecting ideology and politics into what is supposed to be a “huge, incredible story” only takes away from the experience and enjoyment of the film. Nobody goes to see a Star Wars movie because they want to be preached at, even if the sermonizing is subtle. But this has been a creeping trend in Hollywood; films are slowly but surely moving more towards propaganda than entertainment. If this happens, I believe the free market will act — and box office earnings will decline. But will this be enough to compel Hollywood to change direction?

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!

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