Despite his reputation as a scoundrel, Lando Calrissian never actually betrayed Han Solo in the Star Wars original trilogy. Lando’s mischaracterization goes beyond characters in-universe as well, as viewers often see him as untrustworthy, despite his actions in the films showing otherwise. Lando’s many appearances outside of the films in both canon and the original Star Wars timeline, Legends, reinforce his heroic characterization in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Lando is an ethical and altruistic hero who, like Han, uses tricks he learned from his smuggler past against the Empire’s forces as an eventual member of the Rebellion.

Played with impeccable complexity and charisma by Billy Dee Williams, Lando was the Baron Administrator of Cloud City, a mining colony on the Outer Rim world of Bespin. Cloud City was the home of millions of beings, many of whom, according to Lando in the Legends-era Empire Strikes Back radio drama, make an honest and peaceful living away from the Galactic Empire and Mining Guild. In his smuggler past, Lando worked with Han Solo and Chewbacca on notable jobs, such as the Kessel heist in Canon and the hunt for the Yavin Vassilika in Legends.

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Desperate to escape Imperial forces, Han, Chewbacca, Leia, and C-3PO take the Millennium Falcon to Cloud City, where Lando appears to betray them to Darth Vader. As Lando explains, the Empire arrived before they did, giving him no choice but to surrender. While some might see this as an excuse, Lando was responsible for the population of Cloud City, and he could have easily fled Bespin, leaving the Rebels to be captured and saving himself. Instead, he protects them by appearing to work with Vader. As Han approached the city, Lando’s security forces were notably hostile, firing warning shots at the Falcon. Once the Falcon is docked, Lando greets Han with more hostility and insults. Lando and his security force’s actions are tailor-made to intimidate or insult Han into leaving, rather than fall into Vader’s trap. Lando was being protective of the people he’s responsible for and Han.

Lando Calrissian in disguise in Return of the Jedi

During the Rebels’ imprisonment, Lando constantly argued with Vader, who repeatedly changed their agreement. All the while, Lando quietly laid a trap of his own for the Imperials, ordering the Bespin Wing Guard to ambush Vader’s troops when an opportunity presented itself. Though too late to rescue Han from Boba Fett, Lando interrupted his escape to warn Cloud City’s citizens of the impending Imperial takeover, giving millions a fighting chance to flee Imperial oppression and risking his safety in the process. As shown in Return of the Jedi and non-movie material from both continuities, Lando proactively worked alongside his new Rebel allies to rescue Han. Once Han was freed from Jabba the Hutt, Lando became a General in the Rebellion and volunteered to lead the Rebel fleet in their attack on the Second Death Star, an extremely dangerous task.

Lando’s heroism continued well after the original trilogy. As shown in the Legends comic series Dark Empire III: Empire's End, Lando led a strike team to infiltrate the reborn Emperor Palpatine’s flagship, the Eclipse II. Thanks to Lando and R2-D2, the gargantuan vessel, the Galaxy Gun superweapon, and the dark side world of Byss were destroyed. In Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, Lando continued to be one of the New Republic’s greatest allies well after regaining control of Cloud City, helping defeat the Imperial dark side-user Desann. As shown in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Lando rallied thousands of civilians to the Resistance cause, leading them into battle against Palpatine’s forces on Exegol. Not only did Lando never betray Han Solo, but he’s also proven time and again to be one of the Star Wars franchise’s greatest heroes.

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