New Authentic Prop Replica Line from Lucasfilm
Of all the collectibles out there, prop replicas have always been the ones that interest me the most. Promotional materials give you a nice insight into the movie and the time in which it was made. Toys can be great fun if you are willing to take them out of the box and play with them. Art looks great on the wall. But prop replicas give you a feeling that you are connected to the film’s universe.
With a prop replica you can hold Luke’s light saber. You can fire Han’s blaster. Or, you can even wear Padme’s fireside outfit if you’re into that sort of thing. We don’t judge. But at the same time, you get a sense of respect and appreciation for the artists who created these props in the first place. With authentic replicas you get to see up close what exactly went it no creating these iconic objects. You get a sense of the weight and feel of what you had previously only been able to imagine.
Well with those like me in mind, Disney and Lucasfilm have decided to launch a new line of high-end authentic prop replicas. And when I say high-end, I mean it. Lowest price for one of these is over a grand. Unfortunately that means most of us poor geeks will be dreaming and saving for some time. But, at least we have something great to save for.
The line can be found online here. The first wave is centered solely on prop replicas from The Force Awakens. You have a range of prices from items like the Kylo Ren’s lightsaber hilt ($1,250) to Chewbacca’s Bowcaster ($1250) and up to the burned Darth Vader Mask ($3,500). I personally have my eye on Rey’s Staff.
Source: USA Today
Also make sure to read the very thorough and interesting article on the Propshop at StarWars.com.
Are they made using the same raw materials? Or are they just die-cast, or 3-D printed, etc. (or maybe that’s how the originals were made…at least for TFA anyway).
3D printed
But then finished by a real live artisan!
I wonder where they get that certificate from?
At least some of the originals were 3D printed (Kylo’s hilt was, I know that for sure).
All of the pieces listed here were. The question is what is the source of these props though? The way it’s presented, they’ve scanned original props and are 3D printing from those files. That’s a little confusing as the originals themselves were produced from digital files. If this is the original prop house then…..why….wouldn’t they just print from the original files to begin with?
Aren’t these supposed to be as good as ones they could film in the movies? Same people build them.
Sure – Rubies made the same claim too though about their TK suit 🙂 I’m saying the marketing sploosh is confusing – they’re saying scanned from the original props, but…why would you do that if you are the original builder and HAVE all the digital files that the screen used props were printed from? That makes no sense at all.
Oh, and, fun fact – see my post above. At least for some of them, no, not the same people.
too bad that if you’re a common mortal you can’t afford that stuff…
I was very lucky to have a limited number prop-replica of Anakin’s lightsaber from RotS given as a present from the wife. If these are of the same calibre of quality I truly wish we could afford to add something else.
Buy a real Graflex for under $500 and $40 in rubber grips and you have a more authentic, nicer piece.
Doubt it.
Doubt away – I build props in my hobby time. GRaflex around TFA got up to around $800, which is silly, but can be had more like $400-500 now. Grips cost literally $40 for a set of replica rubber ones. FInally, metal D-ring (which they’ve got backwards on the peices listed here). Boom – that’s all there is to a Skywalker saber, and in fact, as THESE aren’t even being made from real Graflex’s, more accurate than what’s on offer here. Go head over to ebay. Graflex’s are not difficult to find. If you want something more like this replica, go to Ultrasabers – they’ve got a gorgeous machined replica hilt for even less than that, but with electronics. $1250 is an absolutely ridiculous amount.
Good on you, but I’ll stick with mine. An unofficial replica just wouldn’t be the same.
Wait, are you referring to your RotS Anakins? I was talking about these pieces in the article. They’re official, they’re nice pieces, but the price is completely unjustified, particularly since there’s just no way they’re building those Skywalkers off real Graflex handles.
Yes – the official prop-replica I have is that of Anakin’s from RotS. As I mentioned earlier it was a gift from the wife, so that alone makes it more important to me than someone’s view that a Lucasfilm official product isn’t worth the price she paid.
In terms of what actually looks better, when you consider the Anakin/Luke lightsaber has slight changes in each film its kind of a pointless argument.
That’s something they often ignore. The hilt has changes from shot to shots sometimes and scenes to scenes. There wasn’t ONE version that was used for every shot even in the original films.
That makes sense.
You’re missing the point – I’m not dissing your Anakin, not talking about it at all actually, I’m expressing utter disbelief over the prices of THESE pieces. There’s no reason whatsoever for a static saber hilt like the Skywalker to cost $1250. None. And in terms of authenticity, yes, they vary film to film, shot to shot sometimes, but the fact is starting with a real Graflex is STILL going to give you a more accurate piece than this 3D printed version.
Well you kind of did from the start by suggestion that I should of got a Graflex. I agree those of the article appear overpriced, but you commented on my original post on how I was lucky to have the wife purchase the prop-replica of Anakin’s lightsaber from RotS. I have no idea on the cost, maybe between £300-£400. Yes building a prop in the manner of how it was done for the film would be immensely fun, and may or may not be a nicer piece. However, I’m not leaping on other people’s post to suggest otherwise, and thus by implication the saber they have is inferior.
No, sorry if I wasn’t clear – you misread what I was saying. I was never talking about your Anakin. I was responding to what you said about if these are the same quality. I only was ever comparing these replicas at an absurd price to the cost of just buying a damn flashgun and some rubber grips. Your Anakin is a nice piece at a reasonable price. This? Not so much.
Then I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.
Didn’t JJ have the prop builders buy real graflexes off ebay almost 3 years ago to make them authentic? Even the Skywalker saber has differences from shot to shot and scene to scene in the original films if you look hard.
Yes, he picked at least one up from an RPF member. Then my understanding is that the Propstore assembled a Skywalker, scanned all the pieces and 3D printed the film sabers.
I agree. And there’s the sense of satisfaction you get from having built your own lightsaber.
Or dont buy a saber at all because its not like they actually do anything
Replicas are cool though, and owning a number of blasters, buckets and armor myself, I don’t begrudge anyone wanting to own one. THIS though..THIS is silly territory LFL is playing in.
I look forward to one day meeting someone who could afford these awesome pieces. Maybe I can convince them to let me hold that bowcaster…
Not wearable, no moving parts, TK bucket and Kylo are not appreciably any better looking than Anovos’ offerings at a fraction the price. Hell, even the Anakin saber is just plain absurd compared to the price of just buying a damn Graflex. These are overpriced conversation pieces, nothing more.
I need the Vader helmet so badly.
Of all of them, that’s the only one I’d be interested in, if only because there aren’t many other options for that piece yet and its shape makes it unlikely anyone will ever totally nail a fan sculpt.
Agreed. Especially since some of these are way too much. Especially the FN-2187 helmet. People from the 501st probably can make or get one for a fraction of that price.
$250 for the standard line Anovos bucket (which, counter-intuitively, is more accurate than their premier FG line – go fig). Close to two thousand dollars is just plain stupid.
Guy over at rpf did a pretty great one.
I know, I was following his build religiously – that’s the only one I could think of so far. Have you seen the comp he put up yesterday between his and this one? Amazingly close.
You really don’t you know.
US-only shipping? I’m no businessman but I know there’s a lot of money to be made in Japan and Europe…
Anakin/Luke/Rey’s lightsaber. I want it. Can’t afford it but I want it.
Do they offer a five finger discount?
this is pretty cool- life goals!
Waaaaay too expensive, compared to other replicas.
An original movie accurate Graflex hilt is much cheaper. And whats the difference between theese and the Anovos, exept the hefty pricetag on these.
Thanks but no thanks. Cool none the less.
You’re paying for the term “officially licensed”. Collector’s buzzwords.
Even for ‘officially licensed’ these are out of control prices. There are plenty of licensees producing very similar pieces (they are, after all, all from the same digital files) at much more realistic prices.
Yeah, I agree. You can buy a 3d printed kylo saber off etsy for around $30. This is for the super rich. Probably costs about $150 tops with labor to make these.
HOW MUCH???!!!
For the cosplayers on here, I’d love to see a Zombie-fied Darth Vader starting with that helmet and customizing his armor down.
Well, since none of these are wearable…or touchable…and look at them only on specified days or else the IR chip will report you to Disney…
Ha! They need to switch Felicity’s acting one on.
Toys for adults who have more money than sense.
*cough* rip off *cough*
MOICHANDISING…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNZove4OTtI
And Rogue 1 is blowing up more Stormtrooper variations: https://stormtrooperlarry.com/2016/06/02/rogue-one-new-trooper-revealed/
Ive never understood the bowcaster. Why have a string & arms for a energy based weapon. Maybe it charges that way? Or maybe its just silly.
Maybe it just looks cool for a movie!
Pretty sexy, I’d like a wearable version of Poe’s Helmet. Not going to take anything away from anyone that wants a static at least there’s some good source material for the other prop builders out there that make usable gear for cosplay community.
Yup, best part about this venture is the photo reference that’s become available 🙂
I would like to have the Vader mask and the Kylo mask. Kylo’s saber would be cool, too.
I think it’s weird to see the Skywalker lightsaber refered to as Rey’s Lightsaber.
You are correct, sir! I’m not even sure how it’s hers – she finds it, Finn uses it, uses it again later, Rey uses it, then gives it back to Luke.
She holds it for 5 minutes, if anything its “Finns lightsaber” because he held on to the dang thing and got a lick in on Kylo himself but everyone ignores that because Rey downloaded the force off her memory hard drive that clearly indicates she’s been trained before. Sooo I know which battle is more impressive, just sayin. Its not like Rey will even use it, we all know she’s carrying Darth Mauls saber and she’ll just change the crystal and she’s not a Skywalker so Lukes saber wont go to her. If anyone was paying attention to BEFORE she beat Kylo you’d notice the struggle she had using one hand to fight when she’s accustomed to that staff. She’ll clearly get a double bladed saber. I hate the Rey favoritism. Rey and Finn are equals (co-leads) despite what the racist bigots will say and everyone is mistaken thinking she is better because she’s had former training and Finns force sensitivity has yet to be revealed. Neither characters have reached their full potential.
i dunno, to my eyes, a TOTAL money grab. so they scan it, 3D print it and then paint it? compared to the amount of work that goes to some of the fan made replica’s this is rather underwhelming. I mean, do they look cool? I suppose. but then again how do you feel paying around $1500-3000 on every item for licensing while the real product cost is a fraction of that
Knew I’d see the complaints straight off the bat. Every fan wants to own replicas. Not like you HAVE to buy it.
Knew I’d see apologists follow immediately after. There is no reason a 3D printed saber hilt should cost $1250 before shipping and duty. None. Stupid people will buy stupid things for stupid prices to get a worthless COA though.
FASCINATING post just went up yesterday on TheRPF….by the guy who sculpted AND made the molds for Kylo Ren….and who DIDN’T work at Propshop at the time. Ooops. Turns out PS didn’t have anything to do with either the Ren helmet or the stormies, nor was the Kylo bucket printed (far too fragile for a hero prop). To the best of his knowledge, PS has scanned the hero pieces for their replicas, and are NOT using the original data files for anything. Huh, well well well.
.
So to recap, premium pricing for replicas NOT produced by the company that produced the originals for at least these pieces, and NOT produced the way the originals were. Where do I send my money?!