11 Ways Star Wars: The Last Jedi Was Basically The Empire Strikes Back
9. Heroes Are Betrayed By A Charming Newcomer
In a far more resonant link between the two films, both feature a subgroup of the films' heroes travelling to a new planet in need of help - only to be faced with betrayal.
In Empire, Han, Leia, C-3PO and Chewbacca slip into Cloud City in an attempt to get the Millennium Falcon repaired so they can finally escape the Empire. They're in pretty dire straights, and both Han and Leia question Lando Calrissian's trustworthiness (even if he is Han's friend). Very similarly, Finn and newcomer Rose travel to Canto Bight, like Bespin a new planet to the franchise at this same point in the two trilogies. This locale has a similar overall feel to Bespin too. While the gambling planet may be the most uniquely decadent spot ever seen in Star Wars, surely Cloud City is pretty much the only other up-market setting seen in the original trilogy?
Once there, desperately looking for help, the duo of heroes begin to place their trust (with obvious reservations) in a charming stranger. Of course, just like the team in The Empire Strikes Back, they are betrayed and thrown into the hands of their enemies.
The only question is this: is this the end of Benicio del Toro's DJ or may he be redeemed in Episode IX?