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Lando Calrissian

From Internet Movie Artifact Database (IMADb)
This document is an initial edit, largely generated by a language learning model (erroneously called "A.I.") based on the source materials it was provided. Please feel free to correct as needed.
Lando Calrissian
File:Lando Calrissian ESB.png
Lando Calrissian as Baron Administrator of Cloud City.
Portrayed by Billy Dee Williams
Donald Glover (in Solo)
First appearance Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
Last appearance Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Affiliation Scoundrel, Cloud City, Rebel Alliance, New Republic
Signature Artifacts Administrator's Cape, Millennium Falcon (Original Configuration), Lando's Blaster Pistol, Skiff Guard Disguise, L3-37's Navigation, Sabacc Cards, Cloud Car, Wrist Comlink, General's Uniform, Yellow Shirt and Scarf
External Links
Wikipedia Link
IMDb Link

Lando Calrissian is a sophisticated smuggler, gambler, and entrepreneur who was the original owner of the Millennium Falcon. Initially introduced as a seemingly self-serving old friend of Han Solo, he evolves into a committed leader and General in the Rebel Alliance. His style and charm are reflected in his elegant costumes and prized possessions.

Character Overview edit edit source

A smooth-talking scoundrel with a taste for the finer things, Lando is the Baron Administrator of Cloud City, a gas mining colony on the planet Bespin. He values his independence and his business above all else, but he also possesses a strong, if sometimes buried, moral compass. His journey is one of redemption, moving from a position of forced betrayal to one of heroic leadership.

Film & Television Appearances edit edit source

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) edit edit source

A younger Lando is introduced as a successful smuggler and renowned sabacc player. He is the proud captain of the pristine, unmodified Millennium Falcon, complete with a cape closet and a droid co-pilot, L3-37. He loses the Falcon to a young Han Solo in a high-stakes game of "Corellian Spike" sabacc.

Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980) edit edit source

Lando is the leader of Cloud City. When Han Solo arrives seeking refuge, Lando is forced by Darth Vader to betray his old friend to protect his city and its people. Wracked with guilt, he turns on the Empire, freeing Leia and Chewbacca and helping them escape. He vows to help find and rescue the captive Han Solo.

Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983) edit edit source

Lando goes undercover as a guard in Jabba the Hutt's palace as part of the plan to rescue Han. Later, having been made a General in the Rebel Alliance, he pilots his old ship, the Millennium Falcon, to lead the starfighter assault on the second Death Star. He successfully navigates the station's treacherous interior and destroys its main reactor, dealing the final blow to the Empire.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) edit edit source

An older Lando aids Rey and her friends on the desert planet of Pasaana. In the film's climax, he returns to the fight, arriving with a massive fleet of civilian ships from across the galaxy to help the Resistance in the final battle against the Emperor's Final Order.

Signature Artifacts edit edit source

Administrator's Cape edit edit source

  • Description: A stylish, flowing cape with a light blue exterior and a patterned gold lining. It is a key part of Lando's sophisticated look as the Baron Administrator of Cloud City. The costume was designed by John Mollo.[1]
  • Relevance to Character: The cape is the ultimate symbol of Lando's charm, class, and flair. It sets him apart from the other, more practically dressed characters. It is the attire of a man of leisure and influence, a successful entrepreneur who has left his rough smuggling days behind him.[2]
  • Relevance to Plot: The cape is a key part of his introduction. When he greets Han and Leia, his elegant appearance makes his eventual betrayal all the more shocking. In a famous moment, the cape is briefly worn by Han Solo after he is rescued, a visual nod to their shared history.

Millennium Falcon (Original Configuration) edit edit source

  • Description: The YT-1300 freighter before Han Solo's "special modifications." In Lando's possession, the ship is clean, with a pristine white and blue paint job, a full forward escape pod, and luxurious interior appointments, including a cape closet.[3]
  • Relevance to Character: The original Falcon reflects Lando's personality: sleek, stylish, and concerned with appearances. It is the prized possession of a successful smuggler who enjoys comfort and luxury. Its clean state is a stark contrast to the battered, "piece of junk" it becomes under Han's ownership.
  • Relevance to Plot: The ship is the grand prize in the sabacc game that defines Han and Lando's early relationship. Its loss is a significant moment for Lando, and his brief reunion with the ship in The Empire Strikes Back is tinged with nostalgia and regret.

Lando's Blaster Pistol edit edit source

  • Description: A small, chrome-plated X-8 Night Sniper blaster pistol with a distinctive mother-of-pearl grip. It is an elegant weapon, fitting for a man of Lando's tastes.[4]
  • Relevance to Character: Unlike Han's rugged DL-44, Lando's blaster is a gentleman's weapon. It's a "Sunday best" kind of pistol, suggesting that while he is more than capable of handling himself in a fight, he prefers to solve problems with words and charm rather than violence.[5]
  • Relevance to Plot: Lando uses this blaster during the escape from Cloud City, demonstrating that despite his sophisticated exterior, he is still a capable gunslinger when the situation demands it.

Skiff Guard Disguise (Tamtel Skreej) edit edit source

  • Description: The gritty, battle-worn helmet and armor of a guard in Jabba the Hutt's palace. The helmet prop was a modification of a pre-existing movie prop.[6]
  • Relevance to Character: This disguise shows Lando's commitment to his redemption. He sheds his stylish persona to go deep undercover in a dangerous and dirty environment, proving his loyalty to Han and his willingness to get his hands dirty for the cause.
  • Relevance to Plot: The disguise allows Lando to be in position at the Great Pit of Carkoon to help rescue the heroes. His presence on the skiff is crucial for turning the tide of the battle.

L3-37's Navigation edit edit source

  • Description:' The consciousness and navigational data of Lando's droid co-pilot, L3-37, which was uploaded directly into the Millennium Falcons computer systems after she was fatally damaged.
  • Relevance to Character: This represents Lando's deep, personal loss and his pragmatic solution. His relationship with L3 was complex, and her "death" clearly affects him. Integrating her into the ship is his way of honoring her and keeping her with him.[7]
  • Relevance to Plot: L3's navigational charts, now part of the Falcon, are what allow Han to make the Kessel Run. Her mind becoming one with the ship is given as the in-universe reason for the Falcon's quirky and responsive personality.

Sabacc Cards edit edit source

  • Description: The playing cards used in the high-stakes card game of sabacc.
  • Relevance to Character: Sabacc is central to Lando's identity as a gambler and a card sharp. He is a master of the game, using his skill and cunning to win fortunes, including the Millennium Falcon.[3]
  • Relevance to Plot: The game of sabacc is the setting for the two most important encounters between Han and Lando in Solo. Lando's initial win and subsequent loss of the Falcon to Han define their rivalry and friendship.

Cloud Car edit edit source

  • Description: A twin-pod atmospheric vehicle used for patrol and transport on Cloud City.
  • Relevance to Character: The Cloud Car is a symbol of Lando's domain. It represents the security and industry of the city he governs.
  • Relevance to Plot: Lando uses a Cloud Car to pursue and rescue Luke Skywalker after his duel with Darth Vader, showing his decisive turn to the side of the heroes.

Wrist Comlink edit edit source

  • Description: A stylish comlink worn on Lando's wrist, integrated into a gold-plated bracelet.
  • Relevance to Character: This artifact reinforces Lando's suave and technologically savvy persona. Even his communication device is a piece of high-end fashion.[5]
  • Relevance to Plot: Lando uses this comlink to order the evacuation of Cloud City, a key moment in his betrayal of the Empire and his commitment to saving his people.

General's Uniform edit edit source

  • Description: The uniform of a General in the Rebel Alliance, worn by Lando during the briefing for the Battle of Endor.
  • Relevance to Character: This costume is the ultimate symbol of Lando's redemption and his full integration into the Rebel Alliance. It shows he has earned the trust of the Rebellion's leadership and has completed his journey from a self-interested scoundrel to a selfless military leader.
  • Relevance to Plot: The uniform visually establishes his authority as he takes command of the starfighter assault on the second Death Star.

Yellow Shirt and Scarf edit edit source

  • Description: The flamboyant yellow shirt and ascot-like scarf worn by Lando in Solo and again in The Rise of Skywalker.
  • Relevance to Character: This is Lando's signature "scoundrel" look. It's flashy, confident, and perfectly captures his personality as a young, successful gambler and smuggler.[8]
  • Relevance to Plot: His return to this classic look as an older man in The Rise of Skywalker is a nostalgic nod to his past and a sign that he never truly lost his original flair.

Behind the Scenes edit edit source

Billy Dee Williams was cast as Lando Calrissian, bringing a level of smoothness and charisma to the role that made the character an instant fan favorite. For Solo: A Star Wars Story, Donald Glover took on the role of the younger Lando, and was widely praised for his performance, which captured the essence of Williams's original portrayal while making the character his own.[9] The character's pansexuality was confirmed by Solo co-writer Jonathan Kasdan.[10]

Trivia edit edit source

  • In early concept art, Lando was depicted as a rugged, bearded clone veteran from the Clone Wars. The character was later changed to be the suave administrator seen in the film.[11]

See Also edit edit source

References edit edit source

  1. Brandon Alinger, Star Wars Costumes: The Original Trilogy, Chronicle Books, 2014.
  2. "The Psychology of Lando's Cape". Syfy Wire. Accessed July 12, 2025.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Pablo Hidalgo, Solo: A Star Wars Story: The Official Guide, DK Publishing, 2018.
  4. "X-8 Night Sniper Pistol". Internet Movie Firearms Database. Accessed July 12, 2025.
  5. 5.0 5.1 David West Reynolds, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back: The Visual Dictionary, DK Publishing, 2000.
  6. J.W. Rinzler, The Making of Return of the Jedi, Del Rey, 2013.
  7. "L3-37". StarWars.com Databank. Accessed July 12, 2025.
  8. "Designing Solo: Creating Lando Calrissian's Look". StarWars.com. Accessed July 12, 2025.
  9. "Donald Glover Cast as Young Lando Calrissian in Han Solo 'Star Wars' Spinoff," Variety, October 21, 2016.
  10. "Lando Calrissian Is Pansexual, 'Solo' Co-Writer Confirms". HuffPost. Accessed July 12, 2025.
  11. "The Evolution of Lando Calrissian". StarWars.com. Accessed July 12, 2025.