Meeting Lando

The Empire Strikes Back

Solo: A Star Wars Story is a criminally underrated movie. Poor business decisions led to poor box office numbers and as a result, the word ‘failure’ was banded around and attached to a movie that simply too few people went to see. It unquestionably impaired public perception of the film’s creative credentials and its legacy as a result.

Whether you sit in the camp that absolutely loved the film or not, Solo filled in plenty of blanks regarding Han Solo’s origin and relationships with characters we love. And the story of how Han crossed paths with the galaxy’s most well-dressed professional ‘sportsman’ Lando Calrissian.

Knowing what we know now, the scene where the two are reunited on Cloud City has only been enhanced – and it was great to begin with.

Han, Chewie, Leia and Threepio have arrived at Landing Pad H with a poorly Falcon in need of some TLC. Lando and his entourage come to greet Han and company. And immediately, the banter flows and those who have watched Solo begin to be rewarded in their Empire re-watch.

One of my favourite details is when Lando fakes to punch Han before pulling him into a hug. Their movements are identically mimicked in Solo, when Han and Chewie finally catch up to Lando after he abandoned them on Savareern – on that occasion, it’s Lando on the defensive while a decade on, the tables have turned.

Lando still believes the Falcon to be his. “What have you done to my ship?” he asks Han, who quickly rebuttals by reminding Lando that he won the Falcon fair and square. I guess fair and square does also apply if you prevent you’re opponent from cheating, so I’m team Han on that one – and I’m willing to bet that behind the banter, Lando is too. I’m sure he appreciates the ingenuity.

It’s also interesting to compare the “hello, what have we here” line Lando drops when seeing Leia to his reaction to seeing Qi’Ra. Lando’s a charmer, it’s his nature and it’s been that way for a while.

Sure, he’d go on to betray Han and his friends, but he was being pinched by an Imperial threat spear-headed by Vader. And he did atone for his mistakes long before guiding the rebellion as Gold Leader into the Battle of Endor, so all is forgiven.