Darth Vader's lightsaber could cost you a fortune

Darth Vader's lightsaber, which he used to cut off Luke Skywalker's hand in the classic film "The Empire Strikes Back" from the "Star Wars" series, was on display in London before being sold in the US next month.

The prop has been described as the "Holy Grail" for Star Wars fans, with millions willing to end up like Skywalker and give their right hand to own the iconic weapon.

Reflecting this passion, it is predicted to fetch up to $3 million when it goes on sale in Los Angeles next month.

"This is just an incredible piece of movie history," Brandon Alinger, chief operating officer of Propstore, the auction house selling the item, told AFP during a preview of the most important items from the sale in London.

"Is there a more significant and memorable villain than Darth Vader? I don't think so, and this is his weapon," he added.

Darth Vader used the "lightsaber" during the legendary battle scenes in "The Empire Strikes Back" (1980) and "Return of the Jedi" (1983).

David Prowse, the actor behind Vader's mask, and stuntman Bob Anderson actually used two of these swords.

One, which had no blade, was attached to the villain's belt, while the other, which had a wooden blade, was used for the fight scenes.

It is this battle-scarred item, albeit without the blade, that is now up for sale, having been in the hands of an American citizen for 40 years.

"Someone who literally Googled 'Star Wars props for sale' came to us and said, 'I have something to sell,' and we were just speechless," explained Propstore founder Stephen Lane.

"We had no idea that this thing still existed — it's a completely new discovery, which is incredibly exciting for Star Wars collectors.

He compared its significance to the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 classic "The Wizard of Oz."

Experts confirmed its authenticity by comparing the dents and scratches to those visible in the film.

"Look at the big dent in the back, it's probably from (actor Mark Hamill's) lightsaber," Alinger explained as he showed the sword to AFP.

Although it is now probably worth millions, the item is actually an old camera attachment with spare parts, such as the bubbles from the back of a calculator, glued to it.

Other items to be sold during the three-day auction, which will take place from September 4 to 6, include the whip, belt, and holster used by Harrison Ford in 1989's Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

One collector will also get their hands on the neuralizer used by agents J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) to erase memories in Men in Black (1997).

"This was used in the opening scene of the film," explained Ibrahim Faraj, supply manager at Propstore in the UK.

The item, whose LED display still works, is expected to sell for up to $150,000. | BGNES

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