Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard) — Star Wars The Black Series 40th Anniversary

Overview

Lando Calrissian at the ROTJ 40th Anniversary lineup as the Skiff Guard variant captures Billy Dee Williams’s character at his Battle of Carkoon infiltration configuration — the moment Lando works undercover as one of Jabba the Hutt’s skiff-mounted enforcers during the Han Solo rescue sequence at the start of Return of the Jedi. Released late February 2023 single-carded in Hasbro’s celebration of the 40th anniversary of Return Of The Jedi. Mainline non-exclusive at $24.99 — slightly elevated above the standard $19.99 mainline baseline. 19-joint articulation. Two accessories: a Force pike (vibro lance) and a removable Skiff Guard helmet. The figure is a straight rerelease of the 2018 Black Series Lando Skiff Guard (figure id=16301) and the 2022 Archive Lando Skiff Guard (figure id=28149) — only the packaging has changed for this release.

The Triple-Source Re-Release

This Lando is structurally a triple-source re-release configuration — the same body sculpt has shipped across three different packaging configurations: the 2018 standalone Black Series release, the 2022 Black Series Archive sub-line release, and the 2023 ROTJ 40th Anniversary commemorative release covered here. Same body sculpt, same articulation, same accessory loadout across all three; only the packaging changes between the three configurations.

For collectors who own either of the prior two source releases, the 2023 ROTJ 40th version is functionally a duplicate body sculpt with commemorative packaging. For collectors building the complete ROTJ 40th Anniversary commemorative set, this Lando is essential despite duplicating the prior sculpts. For collectors evaluating per-figure value, the prior 2018 and 2022 Archive releases cover the same engineering proposition without the commemorative packaging premium positioning — though aftermarket pricing on those sources has tracked variably depending on packaging condition.

The triple-source pattern matches Han Solo Endor at #P4-40A-HE5 and Princess Leia Endor at #P4-40A-LE5 — the three Battle of Carkoon and Endor-era heroes have all received triple-packaging-context release treatments, suggesting Hasbro views the trio as core 40th Anniversary catalogue positions justifying repeated retail repackaging.

The Phenomenal Photo-Real Billy Dee Williams Likeness

Hasbro used the photo-real face printing technology on the face and the likeness to actor Billy Dee Williams is amazing. Specific commendation worth flagging — the photo-real face printing technology applied to Billy Dee Williams’s likeness on this figure is positioned by detailed reviewers as one of the standout implementations of the technology in the broader Black Series catalogue, alongside the Han Solo Endor at #P4-40A-HE5 and Princess Leia Hoth at #P4-40A-LH3 implementations.

For collectors who care about how figures translate live-action character likenesses to plastic form, the photo-real Lando head is among the better Black Series implementations. The figure is recognisably Billy Dee Williams with appropriate skin-tone gradients, facial structure detail, and characteristic expression rather than reading as a generic Lando configuration. The all in all this Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard) Black Series 6-inch figure turned out great — the head sculpt is phenomenal.

The Two-Accessory Loadout

Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard) came with a removable helmet and a vibro lance. The accessory configuration captures the canonical Skiff Guard equipment loadout — the distinctive Force pike polearm weapon that defines the disguise-class combat configuration, and the helmet that completes the visual undercover-disguise reading.

The weapon fits well into both of Lando’s hands and he can even hold it with both hands at the same time. Standard polearm-grip engineering supports both single-handed and two-handed weapon configurations cleanly. For collectors who want display flexibility, the dual-grip approach supports multiple distinct combat-pose options across the figure’s range.

The helmet fits nicely over the head and it can easily be removed. Standard removable-helmet engineering supports both the helmeted (canonical undercover-disguise full-equipment) and unhelmeted (alternative reveal-state) display configurations cleanly. For collectors who want display flexibility across the canonical Skiff Guard configurations, the removable helmet supports both states without requiring head-popping or other disassembly operations.

The Outstanding Sculpt and Detail

The outfit was given subtle weathering and the wash on the front and back feels real. Specific paint commitment commendation worth flagging — the Skiff Guard costume’s screen-accurate weathering distribution is committed to appropriately, with neither over-application (cartoon-toy reading) nor under-commitment (too clean for the ground-combat Tatooine context).

The details found on the entire figure are outstanding — the silver gauntlet on Lando’s right forearm, the shoulder bells, and the chest plate were given small dents which adds a life-like appearance. Specific micro-detail commitment worth flagging — Hasbro committed to adding small dents and battle-damage detail across the metal-armour components of the costume, capturing the screen-accurate worn-but-functional Skiff Guard equipment reading. This is a level of paint-and-sculpt commitment that distinguishes the figure from generic mainline releases that ship with smooth uniform armour finishes.

The Force pike’s blade was given a wash which looks great. The accessory itself receives appropriate paint commitment beyond the figure’s body, with screen-accurate metal-blade weathering rather than the flat-uniform-paint application that affects many lower-commitment releases. The figure has no balancing problems.

Articulation

19 joints. Ball-jointed top neck, ball-jointed lower neck, ball-jointed shoulders, ball-jointed elbows, ball-jointed wrists, ball-jointed upper body, ball-jointed hips, swivel thighs, swivel joints above the knees, swivel joints below the knees, ball-jointed ankles. High joint count for a Phase 3-tooled mainline release — substantially above the 17-joint baseline. The dual-axis knee articulation supports dynamic combat-pose configurations.

Distribution and the Sarlacc Pit Lineup

Standard mainline ROTJ 40th Anniversary release at $24.99 through wide retail channels — Target, Walmart, Amazon, hobby shops. The mainline distribution and the slightly-elevated-above-baseline pricing make this Lando Skiff Guard accessible. Aftermarket pricing on the secondary market has remained reasonable due to the triple-source release availability across the 2018 standalone, the 2022 Archive, and this 2023 commemorative version.

For collectors building the complete ROTJ 40th Anniversary Battle of Carkoon Sarlacc Pit rescue sequence diorama, this Lando pairs specifically with Boba Fett ROTJ at #P4-40A-BFROTJ (the bounty hunter Lando’s Skiff Guard disguise helps eliminate during the rescue), Princess Leia (Boushh disguise) for the broader infiltration ensemble, future Han Solo Carbonite Recovery and Luke Skywalker Jedi Knight at #P4-40A-LJ7 configurations for the complete rescue-sequence ensemble. The figure’s overall appearance mimics Lando Calrissian’s look from the Jabba’s Palace scenes in Return Of The Jedi very well.

Other Lando Calrissian Figures

Lando Calrissian has been a recurring Hasbro release subject across multiple lines. Other notable releases include the Original Trilogy Collection ESB version (figure id=99), the 30th Anniversary Smuggler Outfit version (figure id=103), the Legacy Collection Battle At The Sarlacc Pit 5-Pack (figure id=281), the Vintage Collection General Lando (figure id=690), the Power of the Jedi Bespin Escape variant (figure id=747), and the Vintage Collection Sandstorm Outfit (figure id=1027). The ROTJ 40th Anniversary release joins this multi-decade catalogue as the dedicated Skiff Guard infiltration-disguise flagship version with the standout photo-real Billy Dee Williams likeness.

Secondary Market

Single-carded mainline release on Kenner-style commemorative cardback, late February 2023. Available at MSRP through standard retail and the secondary market with broad availability due to the triple-source release configuration. Verify the Force pike (vibro lance) and the Skiff Guard helmet are both included. The smaller helmet is the most easily lost component during transit. No production variants documented beyond the packaging variation vs the two prior source releases.

Verdict

Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard) at the 2023 ROTJ 40th Anniversary line is a meaningful re-release of the 2018 source figure with the commemorative Kenner-style cardback as the primary value proposition. The phenomenal photo-real face printing on the Billy Dee Williams head sculpt is among the standout Black Series implementations of the technology, the dual-grip Force pike supports both single-handed and two-handed combat configurations, the easily-removable helmet enables clean costume modification for canonical undercover-disguise reveal display, the outstanding micro-detail paint commitment (silver gauntlet, dented shoulder bells and chest plate) distinguishes the figure from generic releases, the subtle screen-accurate weathering on the outfit captures the canonical Tatooine-environment reading, and the figure stands reliably without balancing issues.

The duplicate body sculpt vs the 2018 source and 2022 Archive releases means collectors with prior Black Series Lando Skiff Guard figures are buying repeat tooling for the commemorative cardback variation. The triple-source release pattern means broad availability has kept aftermarket pricing reasonable but also means the figure has been available through multiple acquisition paths across multiple years.

Buy this figure if you collect the ROTJ 40th Anniversary line as a complete set, if you build Battle of Carkoon Sarlacc Pit rescue dioramas requiring the canonical Skiff Guard infiltration-disguise Lando configuration, if you appreciate the phenomenal photo-real Billy Dee Williams likeness implementation, if you missed the 2018 standalone or 2022 Archive releases at original retail, or if the standout micro-detail paint commitment matches your screen-accurate display preferences. If you missed out on the previous two releases then this is a great opportunity to add it to your collection for the 40th of Jedi.

The Battle of Carkoon disguise-infiltrator with the standout photo-real Billy Dee Williams face. The figure with the dual-grip Force pike and the removable Skiff Guard helmet. The Lando that anchors Sarlacc Pit rescue dioramas alongside the broader ROTJ 40th rescue-sequence ensemble. Mainline distribution, late February 2023.

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Part of Star Wars The Black Series | Phase 4 40th Anniversary Collection. Related: Boba Fett (ROTJ) P4-40A-BFROTJ | Bib Fortuna P4-40A-BF6 | Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) P4-40A-LJ7.