LEGO unveils Kessel Run Millennium Falcon set from Solo: A Star Wars Story

LEGO unveils Kessel Run Millennium Falcon set from Solo: A Star Wars Story

0 comments 📅14 February 2018, 16:43

The Millennium Falcon, arguably the most iconic spacecraft on the silver screen, with the possible exception of the USS Enterprise. We’d seen some sneak pics of what the “new” Falcon might look like, but now THR has had an exclusive look at the Kessel Run Millennium Falcon Lego set, from the imminent Solo: A Star Wars Story, which arrives May 25th.

With a piece count of 1,414 and a price tag of $169.99, this Falcon comes with the youthful Han Solo, Chewbacca, Lando Calrissian, newcomer Qi’ra and a Kessel Operations Droid…plus two “still secret” characters, Quay Tolsite and DD-BD.

While there are no images of the inside, the official blurb hints at some details: “Pull amazing maneuvers from the cockpit. Jump in the laser turrets and fire back at pursuing craft. Then check the hyperdrive and get ready to jump to safety! After all that excitement, kick back with Han and his friends with a drink from the bar, while you let Chewbacca win at Dejarik. Then it’s off to bed for a well-earned snooze in the bunk aboard the fastest ship in the galaxy!”

The Falcon has become a staple for Lego and this version joins the seven previous iterations made by the company since 2000. The most recent Falcon was from its Ultimate Collector’s Series line. Released in 2017, it contained a whopping 7,541 pieces and will set you back a cool $799.99.

Everyone has noticed now that the Falcon looks a little different than what we’re used to. The YT-1300 Corellian freighter that’s been portrayed here is naturally the Falcon, but it also has the front bit in place, as we’ve seen in previous hints. However, many do forget that the YT-1300 had a lot of customizable options, plus of course Han did “a lot of special modifications” himself.

So what are these “special modifications”? What we’re seeing in director Ron Howard’s movie with the blue and white design and glossy interior is how the ship existed in the hands of Lando Calrissian, before he lost it to Han Solo in a game of sabacc.

As the Star Wars Show pointed out last week, this look was partly inspired by the early visual development designs of legendary galactic concept artist Ralph McQuarrie.

But like any dual-purpose live/work space – let’s face facts, Han and Chewie live and sleep in the Falcon – it changes based on the taste and necessity of the current occupant/owner.

“Where Han gave it a certain shabby coolness and a dinged up quality that reflected where he was at that point in his life, this Falcon reflects its owner very clearly in its shape and aesthetic and his needs, even if those needs be a little more space to entertain,” says Jon Kasdan, who wrote the Solo screenplay with his father, Lawrence Kasdan, veteran co-writer of The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and The Force Awakens.

“One of the things Larry and I had talked about was the Falcon should always reflect the personality of its captain,” he adds.

So Donald Glover’s Lando uses it not just to ferry goods, but as a party ship. Sounds about right.

Alden Ehrenreich, who is taking over the role of the galaxy’s favourite smuggler from Harrison Ford, says there’s more going on than neglect when it comes to the grimy interior and exposed panels we see in Solo’s later incarnation of the Falcon.

Maybe Han has his reasons for that, a sort of interstellar subterfuge.

“It’s safer in the galaxy to fly something that looks like a piece of junk. People underestimate you — especially if you’re up to no good,” the actor told Entertainment Weekly. “Kinda like how you’re more likely to get pulled over if you’re driving a Lamborghini.”

Han may also push the performance of the Falcon far more than Lando ever did. The infamous Kessell Run, which Han boasted about crossing in 12 parsecs, is pocked with black holes. And in the trailer we see the vessel contending with giant, electrified tentacles in a nebula.

As for that different front end, we can see the more tapered nose instead of the familiar forked mandibles. Those mandibles were always meant to hold something and it’s clear there’s a section of the new Hasbro toy that can be removed, perhaps a detachable storage container. We’ll see what becomes of that come May 25th.

“Remember, when the Falcon enters our movie, it’s already had a long life. Decades of existence. And it’s been modified even from its original design,” says Jon Kasdan. “What we tried to do with the whole movie was take things that we take for granted and love and turn them on their ear.”

We’ve already seen the Falcon get much more than just a ding – astroids and even a prang flying through the superstructure of Death Star mk II, that’s not gonna buff out – so the appearance we’re more used to is clearly evidence of many adventures, many times Han has pushed the Falcon to her limits and past them. If only the reverse, power flux coupling could talk, it would have many tales to tell.

Related stories
 Solo: A Star Wars Story LEGO sets confirm “Kessel Run Millenium Falcon”
 Solo, second trailer arrives
 Solo teaser drops during Super Bowl
• 
Is this a glimpse of Boba Fett in Solo: A Star Wars Story?
• LEGO Star Wars Super Star Destroyer rumoured for 2018

 

No Comments

No Comments Yet!

You can be first one to write a comment

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.