When we think about the big business of cinema, it tends to be with regard to film budgets and box office performance. These days it’s not unheard of for Hollywood projects to have budgets in the hundreds of millions, and we’ve grown accustomed to successful blockbusters making several times that. Just this week, Vox wrote a report demonstrating that Star Wars: The Force Awakens is on pace to become the highest earning film ever in the U.S., and could approach Avatar’s astounding $2.78 billion record for global sales.
Indeed, this is the biggest of big business with regard to the cinema. But popular films don’t only deal in big money on a global scale or with regard to total ticket sales. They also inspire some pretty hefty purchases from die-hard fans, who will often shell out significant chunks of pay just to acquire some memorabilia or souvenirs relevant to favorite films. And lucky for us, Lottoland has pointed out some memorabilia prices that will absolutely blow your mind. Let’s take a look at the highlights.
1970s Kenner Darth Vader Action Figure
Again, it’s an action figure. But like any other collectible figure or doll, this original Vader piece had grown more expensive with time—if, that is, you can find an unopened and untouched one. Such a piece can apparently cost you upwards of £1,700 on Ebay!
Original Stormtrooper Helmets
It’s no secret that the costumes of Star Wars have become iconic. The Stormtroopers and Darth Vader have some of the most recognizable outfits in film villain history, and various individual characters have been boldly dressed as well. Wookiepedia’s lineup of Padmé Amidala’s wardrobe reveals that this single character had quite literally dozens of different outfits, on which the studio spent a huge chunk of its budget. But nothing tops the original Stormtrooper helmets among Star Wars to the point that one of these can cost you between £40,000 and £60,000.
Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber
This one’s a little different, as it’s a genuine film prop rather than a collectible item. But it’s still worth mentioning for the remarkable price attached: this Jedi weapon was sold at an auction for a staggering £240,000 (and after Luke’s lightsaber, presumably a new prop, played a significant role in The Force Awakens, it’s a good bet this original could now sell for even more).
Star Trek Enterprise Model
This one’s also more of a one-of-a-kind prop than an ordinary collector’s item, but it demonstrates that Star Wars isn’t the only franchise that caters to super fans who will spend extraordinary amounts for a piece of the action. The actual model used to show the Enterprise in Star Trek The Next Generation apparently went for just under £400,000!
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Arguably the most famous car in cinematic history, it’s no wonder that this old-fashioned racing car commanded a hefty fee. This one’s actually more interesting because of who paid said hefty fee. Evidently it was Lord of The Rings trilogy director Peter Jackson who put up about £550,000 for this piece of cinema lore.
The Ruby Slippers
Weapons, models, and cars are among the most coveted items from films, but it’s hard to think of a much more iconic item than the red ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard Of Oz. That these even exist somewhere out in the world almost seems akin to myth becoming reality. A fan who paid about £450,000 for them evidently felt the same way
Naturally, the list goes on and on. But this should give you an idea of just how incredible the value can be both of original collectibles and authentic props used in film.
Just imagine what Rey’s staff will be worth in another 30 years….