Hot Toys Review | Lando Calrissian (Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back)
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Thomas Storai 
The Hot Toys Lando Calrissian from Empire Strikes Back is a much-needed addition to your Star Wars collection. And it’s about time!
Originally planned for a first Quarter 2022 release, Lando Calrissian was released quite early in Hong Kong and internationally as well! Sideshow Collectibles is already shipping the figure. They will likely have finished fulfilling all pre-orders by the end of the month. And Lando is not the only early release. Indeed, several Star Wars figures got an early release these past few weeks. That’s something we can all be happy about!
This figure is the first Lando figure Hot Toys is making. I think it was about time we got one. Obviously, they had to go with the classic Bespin outfit. For the first figure, I think it’s the best choice. So was this figure worth the wait?
THE BOX
For this one, we are getting a very different type of box. When you first look at it, it does seem like you’re usual Star Wars collectibles box. It’s black with a picture of the character and the Star Wars logo. It’s also a lot taller than usual Star Wars boxes for similar characters. And it also features the 40th Empire Strikes Back anniversary sticker.
Though, when you remove that part of the box you do get something awesome – a vintage-inspired box! It doesn’t get any better. I usually find the Star Wars boxes too simple compared to the Marvel ones. But this one is pretty cool and refreshing! It features the old Empire Strikes Back logo that is used on the Kenner/Hasbro Vintage figures. You even get the character description text as you would get with Vintage figures. A lot of collectors will appreciate this change of box. Hot Toys has also used it for their 40th Empire Strikes Back anniversary re-issue of Darth Vader and Boba Fett. I do hope they will use this box design again for other Star Wars anniversaries.
The instruction sheet is also different, at the back you get an Empire Strikes Back poster! Hot Toys went all in to celebrate the 40th anniversary of this movie. (The anniversary was actually last year when the figure was announced. But obviously, they needed time to produce the figure).
ACCESSORIES
Lando comes with 6 interchangeable hands, a Rebel blaster pistol, an E-11 blaster rifle, a communicator, a wrist link, a display base, and a background. It’s the second time I get a Star Wars figure with a background. And it’s another good one! You get a little bit of Cloud City to display with your figure. The display base gives you two options. It’s the basic Star Wars display base that works as the floor of an Imperial/Republic cruiser. But if you want to go all-in with the Bespin vibe, you can add the Bespin floor plastic sheet to it. That’s the way I’m displaying my figure.
As for the blaster, they’re both nicely detailed. The rebel blaster has a glossy paint which suits Lando better, staying classy. While the E-11 has a little bit of weathering on it.
THE FIGURE
The outfit is simple but classy and that’s so on-brand for Lando. I’m really glad Hot Toys chose to make this outfit in figure format. It looks great! It uses fabric and some leather for the boots and the collars. There’s also some plastic with the belt and the sole of the boot. I would have preferred a leather belt since they used leather for some parts of the outfit. But it still looks fine.
As for the cape, for once it doesn’t work with magnets but with loops instead. It works well too and is probably the best solution for this figure. Indeed, having loops doesn’t limit the articulation range with a cape-like this. The cape is another beautiful work by Hot Toys, they always nail it with the small details! This figure has over 30 points of articulation so you can get some awesome action poses.
THE HEADSCULPT
This sculpt is spot on, it really looks like Billy Dee Williams! It’s so life-like. You are never disappointed when it comes to head sculpts with Hot Toys. This one was made by Yulli Choi and painted by J.C. Hong. Yulli has become one of my favorite sculptors. Her head sculpts are always the best.
GALLERY
VERDICT
A much-needed addition to your Star Wars collection, it was about time Hot Toys gave us a Lando Calrissian figure!
The Hot Toys Lando Calrissian (Empire Strikes Back) figure is currently available to order from Sideshow Collectibles. Fans in the UK/Europe can order from Zavvi. Order yours here.
Collectables Editor at Future Of The Force.
Star Wars and Marvel specialist, anime expert
