Lando Calrissian is a character in the Star Wars universe first introduced in the 1980 film The Empire Strikes Back. He is portrayed by Billy Dee Williams. Lando is the former Baron Administrator of Cloud City on Bespin and later becomes a general in the Rebel Alliance. He is known for his charming, roguish personality and was an old friend of Han Solo. Lando has a son named Lando Calrissian Jr. who first appeared in the Star Wars Legends expanded universe. In this article, we will explore Lando Calrissian Jr.’s backstory in Legends and what is known about him in current Star Wars canon.
Lando Calrissian Jr. in Legends
In the Star Wars Legends stories, which are no longer considered official canon, Lando Calrissian Jr. first appeared in the Lando Calrissian Adventures book series by L. Neil Smith published in 1983. In this series, Lando has a relationship with a woman named Vuffi Raa which produces a son named Lando Calrissian Jr.
Lando Jr. is born with the ability to sense the Force, leading Lando to keep his son’s existence a secret to protect him from the Galactic Empire and Darth Vader. Lando Jr. is eventually discovered by Emperor Palpatine and undergoes Force training to become one of Palpatine’s Dark Side Elite. However, Lando Jr. rebels against the Empire and helps the Alliance defeat Imperial forces at the Battle of Endor in Return of the Jedi.
After Endor, Lando Jr. continues to serve the New Republic as a Jedi Knight alongside Luke Skywalker’s New Jedi Order. He helps fight against Grand Admiral Thrawn and the resurgent Imperial forces. However, Lando Jr. is corrupted by the Dark Side influence of the Jedi Joruus C’baoth and briefly falls to the dark side. During the Yuuzhan Vong invasion, Lando Jr. fights to defend the galaxy once more.
Overall, in Legends, Lando Calrissian Jr. has an extensive history spanning several decades as he follows in his father’s footsteps in the fight against the Empire and later threats to the New Republic.
Key Facts about Lando Calrissian Jr. in Legends
| Parents | Lando Calrissian and Vuffi Raa |
| First Appearance | Lando Calrissian and the Mindharp of Sharu (1983) |
| Abilities | Strong Force abilities trained as both a Jedi and Sith |
| Affiliations | New Republic, New Jedi Order |
Lando Calrissian Jr. in Current Canon
In current official Star Wars canon, the backstory for Lando Calrissian Jr. from Legends has been erased. Lando’s son is no longer considered part of the continuity moving forward after Disney acquired Lucasfilm.
However, Lando does briefly reference having a daughter in the film Solo: A Star Wars Story. When asked if he has any family back home, Lando says he might and it’s a “long story.” This implies Lando may have started a family sometime before the events of the original Star Wars trilogy.
But specifics about Lando possibly having children, including a son named Lando Jr., have not been established in canon. There are opportunities to reintroduce a form of Lando Jr. in new Star Wars stories, but his previous Legends history would need to be rewritten. For now, the canon status of Lando Calrissian Jr. remains unconfirmed.
Themes and Possibilities in New Canon
Even without Lando Jr.’s story being canonized yet, there are some interesting themes and possibilities that new stories could explore:
- Lando trying to balance his scoundrel smuggler lifestyle with being a father
- Lando hiding a child to keep them safe from the Empire
- Lando’s child following in his footsteps as a pilot, gambler, or businessman
- Lando reconnecting with a long-lost child after the events of the original trilogy
- Lando’s child struggling with their own path of good and evil, Rebellion or Empire
There is a lot of narrative territory around Lando being a father that Star Wars could mine for new drama and character development. Introducing Lando’s child into the canon would also add more diversity to the Skywalker saga bloodlines.
Conclusion
In Star Wars Legends, Lando Calrissian has a Force-sensitive son named Lando Calrissian Jr. with an extensive backstory tied to major events in the expanded universe. However, in current official canon, Lando’s son is not confirmed and his previous storylines are erased. Lando vaguely implies he may have a daughter in Solo, but details are lacking.
There is certainly room for Lucasfilm to reintroduce a form of Lando Jr. into canon. This would allow fresh storytelling opportunities around Lando as a father and his child following his roguish footsteps. For now fans will have to wait and see if Lando’s progeny ever officially enters the new Star Wars universe. Until then, the canon status of Lando Calrissian’s son remains a mystery.