Honestly, the LEGO Dark Falcon shouldn't exist. It’s a total fever dream. For decades, the Millennium Falcon has been the ultimate symbol of hope in the Star Wars galaxy, a hunk of junk that somehow saves the day. But LEGO and Disney decided to flip the script for the Rebuild the Galaxy special, and now we have this sinister, black-and-red monstrosity sitting on store shelves. It's weird. It’s jarring. And somehow, it's one of the most refreshing sets LEGO has released in years.
Usually, Star Wars LEGO is all about accuracy. We want the right number of greebles on the hull and the exact shade of "Light Bluish Gray." But the LEGO Dark Falcon (set 75389) throws that rulebook into a Sarlacc pit. It asks a simple question: What if the good guys were bad? This isn't just a color swap; it’s a complete personality transplant for the most iconic ship in cinematic history. If you're tired of building the same gray saucer over and over, this might be the palate cleanser you didn't know you needed.
The Design Shift: More Than Just Black Bricks
When you first look at the LEGO Dark Falcon, the colors hit you like a thermal detonator. It uses a mix of black, dark red, and trans-red elements to create a look that screams Sith. But if you look closer, the actual build is a fascinating remix of the standard Rise of Skywalker or Force Awakens Falcon chassis. It measures about 17 inches long, which is a substantial footprint for a play-scale set.
The cockpit is now a menacing red. The radar dish—which has been round, rectangular, and round again in the films—is replaced by a literal Sith throne. That’s the kind of absurdity we’re dealing with here. Instead of a smuggling vessel, this is a mobile base for a corrupted version of the Star Wars universe. It’s got the spring-loaded shooters, sure, but they feel more "in character" when they're coming from a ship owned by a dark-side version of Rey.
Inside the Belly of the Beast
The interior is where things get truly goofy. You've still got the classic Dejarik (holochess) table, but the vibe is completely different. There's a holding cell. There's a command center. It feels cramped in a way that suggests a military vessel rather than a freighter. LEGO designers managed to squeeze in a lot of play value without making the ship feel like a hollow shell. You can remove the top panels to access the rooms, and honestly, the hinges feel sturdier than some of the older Falcon iterations.
One thing people often forget is that the Millennium Falcon is a character in its own right. By turning it into the LEGO Dark Falcon, the designers are playing with the mythology. It reminds me of the old "Infinities" comics where one small change—like Luke failing to blow up the Death Star—spirals into a completely different reality. This set is a physical manifestation of that "what if" energy.
The Minifigure Lineup is the Real Draw
Let’s be real. A lot of people are buying the LEGO Dark Falcon just for the figures. You get six of them, and almost all of them are "alt-universe" versions of characters we know. It’s a bizarre cast.
- Darth Jar Jar: This is the big one. For years, the internet has joked about the "Darth Jar Jar" theory—that the clumsy Gungan was actually a Sith mastermind. LEGO finally leaned into the meme. He comes with a black robe and a red lightsaber. It’s hilarious. It’s cursed. I love it.
- Bounty Hunter C-3PO: Seeing Threepio with a blaster and a mean attitude is strangely satisfying.
- Darth Dev Greebling: A new character for the Rebuild the Galaxy story, but he fits the aesthetic perfectly.
- Darth Rey: We saw a glimpse of her in The Rise of Skywalker, but having her here in a dedicated set feels right. Her double-bladed red saber is a highlight.
- Jedi Vader: Imagine a world where Anakin never turned, or where he found redemption much earlier. He’s wearing white armor and a blue cape. It’s the polar opposite of the Dark Falcon itself, providing a necessary contrast.
- Beach Luke: Because why not? If the galaxy is being rebuilt, Luke Skywalker might as well be chilling in a blue tank top with a blue milk carton.
This lineup is probably the most "un-LEGO Star Wars" thing I've seen in a decade. It’s not a battle pack. It’s not a scene from a movie. It’s a collection of fan theories and "what-if" scenarios turned into plastic. It’s bold.
Why the LEGO Dark Falcon Matters for Collectors
If you've been collecting LEGO Star Wars for a while, you probably have a "Gray Slab" problem. Your shelves are a sea of monochromatic plastic. Star Destroyers, AT-ATs, X-Wings—they’re all beautiful, but they’re all very... gray. The LEGO Dark Falcon breaks that monotony. It pops. When you put it next to a standard 75257 Falcon, the visual contrast is incredible.
But there’s also a deeper value here. LEGO is testing the waters. For years, the community has begged for more "Legends" content or non-canon "what-if" sets. If this set sells well (and it seems to be doing just fine), it opens the door for more experimental builds. Maybe we get a "Jedi Star Destroyer" or a "Sith X-Wing" down the line. It moves the brand away from just being a movie-replica machine and back toward being a creative toy.
Building Experience and Durability
The build itself takes about four to five hours depending on how fast you move. It’s not a complex Technic-heavy nightmare, but it’s not a junior set either. The way the mandibles are constructed is tried-and-true, using a mix of plates and brackets to get that specific wedge shape.
Is it fragile? A bit. Like most Falcons, if you pick it up by the wrong part of the hull, something is going to pop off. But the central core is solid. You can "swoosh" it around if you’re careful. The red "exhaust" at the back is a nice touch, using trans-red tiles instead of the usual trans-blue. It makes the ship look like it's powered by pure rage rather than sublight engines.
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Addressing the Price Point
At roughly $160 USD (depending on where you shop), it’s a big investment. You’re paying a premium for the "Rebuild the Galaxy" branding and those exclusive minifigures. Is it worth it? If you already have three Falcons, maybe not. But if you’re looking for a center-piece that starts conversations, the LEGO Dark Falcon is hard to beat.
Some critics argue that the interior is a bit sparse compared to the UCS (Ultimate Collector Series) version. Well, yeah. This is a play-scale set. It's meant to be handled. The UCS Falcon is a furniture piece; the LEGO Dark Falcon is a toy. There’s a difference in philosophy there that I think some AFOLs (Adult Fans of LEGO) forget. This set is fun. It’s not meant to be a museum-quality replica of something that never even appeared in the main films.
Tips for Displaying Your Dark Falcon
If you decide to pick this up, don't just shove it on a shelf. This set deserves a bit of theater.
- Use a Stand: The ship looks infinitely better at an angle. Since it doesn't come with a stand, you'll need to build one out of spare Technic parts or buy a third-party acrylic stand. It opens up the profile and lets you see the underside detail.
- Lighting: Because the set is mostly black, it can look like a dark blob in a poorly lit room. Adding some small LED spotlights—specifically focusing on the red cockpit and the engine trail—makes a huge difference.
- The "Multiverse" Shelf: Place it right next to a standard Falcon. The "Mirror Universe" vibe is the whole point. Having Jedi Vader "fighting" Darth Jar Jar on top of the hull is peak LEGO comedy.
Common Misconceptions
People keep asking if this is "canon." No, it’s not. It’s part of a specific animated special designed to play with the Star Wars universe. Don't go looking for the Dark Falcon in The Mandalorian or the next theatrical film. It exists in its own little pocket of the LEGO-verse.
Another misconception is that it’s just a recolor of the 2019 Falcon. While the silhouette is the same, many of the greebling details and the entire interior layout have been swapped. It’s a "remix," not a "re-skin." The designers clearly put effort into making it feel like a unique ship rather than a cheap cash grab.
Actionable Steps for Potential Buyers
If you’re on the fence about the LEGO Dark Falcon, here’s how to decide. First, check your current collection. If you lack a Millennium Falcon of any kind, this is a bold but solid choice for your first one. However, if you want the "definitive" Star Wars experience, you might prefer the classic gray version first.
Second, look at the secondary market for those minifigures. Darth Jar Jar alone is likely to hold a lot of value in the coming years. If you’re a "minifig-first" collector, the set pays for itself over time just based on the exclusivity of the characters.
Finally, keep an eye on sales. LEGO Star Wars sets of this size often see a 15-20% discount about six months after release at big-box retailers. If $160 feels steep, wait for that $130 sweet spot. But don't wait too long; "What If" style sets like this sometimes have shorter production runs than the core movie sets.
Grab some black plates and start thinking about how you’d customize the interior further—maybe a Sith meditation chamber or a trophy room for lightsabers. The beauty of a set like this is that the "rules" are already broken, so you can do whatever you want.