Every Star Wars fan is familiar with names like Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa. Newer generations can now recognize characters like Rey, Poe, and Finn, as well. There is one Star Wars character, however, that’s never spoken a word yet has remained one of the most iconic of them all, for over forty years. I’m of course referring to the Millennium Falcon. And recent, behind-the-scenes photos seem to give credence to a rumor about the ship’s fate following Star Wars: Episode IX.
Yes, I do consider the Millennium Falcon a Star Wars character in its own right. The YT-1300 Corellian freighter has been around from the beginning. It’s also saved the day too many times to count. While it seems odd to worry about the fate of a vehicle in a movie franchise, fans do just the same. The Falcon is as much a part of Star Wars as any other character. So when rumors first hit the Internet about its future, fans were intrigued to say the least.
Does a Recent Photo Confirm the Fate of the Millennium Falcon?
(Image: Annie Liebowitz for Vanity Fair)
Back in February we reported a rumor about the Millennium Falcon and its fate in The Rise of Skywalker. As the rumor goes, the ship would find its way back into the hands of its original owner, Lando Calrissian. One of the behind-the-scenes photos from a Vanity Fair cover story seems to no confirm that rumor. In it we see Billy Dee Williams, dressed as Lando similarly to the younger version of the character in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Importantly, he’s sitting in the pilot’s seat with Poe in the co-pilot’s position. Chewbacca, to the contrary, is standing in the Millennium Falcon cockpit behind Lando. I don’t think the characters’ positioning is coincidental.
The rumor has Chewbacca offering the Millennium Falcon back to Lando in an effort to lure him into the fight. If Chewie is indeed giving up any claim the fabled freighter, his positioning behind Lando makes sense. Likewise, the photo provides an unobscured view of the location where Lando and Qi’ra installed L3’s core into the Millennium Falcon itself (above the seat rest behind Poe). And every character is leaning towards the right, ensuring L3’s installation point is in full view. Again… Coincidence? I don’t think so.
We know some characters will likely meet their fates in The Rise of Skywalker. I’m still holding out hope that the Millennium Falcon isn’t one of them.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens December 20 in theaters everywhere.
