How One Empire Strikes Back Character Secretly Saved The Entire Rebel Alliance (& Luke Skywalker Too)

Luke Skywalker and his friends narrowly escaped the clutches of Darth Vader at the end of The Empire Strikes Back, and one unexpected character was key to their escape. Although Darth Vader forced Lando Calrissian to betray Han Solo and the rest of the Rebels of Cloud City, Calrissian turned on the Empire and ᴀssisted the Alliance when the time was right. Not only did Lando become an ally to the Rebellion, but his right-hand man Lobot and the Bespin Wing Guard did as well.

In a tense chase sequence, the Millennium Falcon flees Vader’s Star Destroyer and a squadron of TIE Fighters, with the ship’s capture seemingly imminent when Darth Vader reveals that his troops sabotaged the Falcon’s hyperdrive. While Chewbacca tries to repair the ship to no avail, R2-D2 manages to reactivate the hyperdrive at the last moment, allowing the Millennium Falcon to escape. The original Star Wars Legends continuity reveals that R2-D2’s ability to repair the Falcon’s hyperdrive is owed to a minor character in The Empire Strikes Back.

Quick Links

Artoo Fixed The Millennium Falcon…But Secretly Needed Lobot’s Help To Do So


John Hollis as Lobot in Empire Strikes Back (1980)

R2-D2 provides invaluable help to Princess Leia and the rest of the Rebels in Cloud City, unlocking a door to the Millennium Falcon’s landing platform and covering them from blasterfire with a smokescreen. During this sequence, R2-D2 briefly connects to Cloud City’s central computer, which informs him that the Empire sabotaged the Millennium Falcon’s hyperdrive. According to the 1995 sourcebook The Essential Guide to Characters, by Andy Mangels, Lobot – via the central computer – notified R2-D2 about the sabotage and told him how to fix it.

In the original Star Wars Legends continuity, Lobot’s implanted AJ^6 cyborg construct not only connected him to Cloud City’s central computer, it also functionally made him the personification of it. Under Lando Calrissian’s leadership, Lobot remotely monitored and controlled Cloud City’s security, maintenance, and many other essential systems, naturally making him privy to the Empire’s sabotage of the Millennium Falcon. Sadly, Lobot would not escape the Empire’s takeover of Cloud City and would be forced to work for the city’s de facto governor Hugo Treece.

After the events of Return of the Jedi, Lobot would eventually succeed Lando Calrissian as Cloud City’s Baron Administrator.

Without Lobot, The Rebel Alliance Would’ve Died At Cloud City


Lobot helps Lando on Cloud City in The Empire Strikes Back

While Lobot’s role in the Millennium Falcon’s escape was obviously not shown in The Empire Strikes Back itself, he is nevertheless invaluable to the survival of the Rebellion. Had he not informed R2-D2 of the Empire’s sabotage, the Falcon would have been captured by the Executor and six key members of the Alliance would be in Vader’s clutches. Luke Skywalker would have been turned over to Emperor Palpatine and the Rebel Alliance likely would not have prevailed against the Empire.

Upcoming Star Wars Movies

Release Date

The Mandalorian & Grogu

May 22, 2026

Related Posts

After Abysmal Showing At The Emmys, Netflix Delivers Record Revenue

After Abysmal Showing At The Emmys, Netflix Delivers Record Revenue

Netflix has now reported their second-quarter earnings to investors. The company is primarily known for their subscription streaming service, which is one of the most widely used…

“Many People Can’t Bear To Look”: Martin Scorsese Shares Glowing Review Of Ari Aster’s Most Divisive A24 Film Yet

“Many People Can’t Bear To Look”: Martin Scorsese Shares Glowing Review Of Ari Aster’s Most Divisive A24 Film Yet

Ari Aster is one of the unique auteurs making movies today, commanding respect from critics, audiences, and his fellow filmmakers alike. Aster is best known for writing…

Fantastic Four: First Steps Gets “Extraordinary” Review From New MCU Actor

Fantastic Four: First Steps Gets “Extraordinary” Review From New MCU Actor

One member of The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ cast has yet to reveal her MCU character’s idenтιтy, but she only has good things to say about the…

“We Had A Painful Change”: Happy Gilmore 2’s Original Carl Weathers Plan Addressed By Adam Sandler

“We Had A Painful Change”: Happy Gilmore 2’s Original Carl Weathers Plan Addressed By Adam Sandler

Adam Sandler reveals he had to make some tough changes to Happy Gilmore 2 after the death of Carl Weathers. It’s been nearly 30 years since Sandler…

Everything Superman Reveals About The DCU’s Krypton And What We Still Don’t Know

Everything Superman Reveals About The DCU’s Krypton And What We Still Don’t Know

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for James Gunn’s Superman James Gunn’s Superman is by no means an origin story for the new Man of Steel. On the…

Adam Sandler’s 9M Comedy Franchise Gets A Major Sequel Update From Co-Star

Adam Sandler’s $519M Comedy Franchise Gets A Major Sequel Update From Co-Star

A popular Adam Sandler comedy franchise could be making a comeback. Few comedy stars have managed to build a movie empire as effortlessly as Sandler. With decades…