MOVIE NEWS – If you’ve got a spare three million dollars lying around and happen to be a Star Wars superfan, this is your moment: you could soon hold the real, screen-used lightsaber that Darth Vader actually swung in the movies. Of course, the Lucas faithful don’t have to settle for just Star Wars—if you’re more into archaeology than galaxies, you can also snap up Indiana Jones’ authentic whip.

This isn’t just a newsflash, it’s a shockwave to the fanbase—like a blaster to the chest. This September in Los Angeles, the original lightsaber wielded by Darth Vader himself in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi is going under the hammer. No, not a stunt double or display piece, but the real-deal “hero prop” that David Prowse handled in all the iconic scenes. It’s part of Propstore’s Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction and, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter, is expected to fetch somewhere between one and three million dollars. So—how’s your bank account feeling?

The Collector’s Holy Grail

Propstore’s COO Brandon Alinger didn’t hold back on the superlatives, calling it “a piece worthy of the world’s greatest collections.” He’s not exaggerating. According to experts, this is the only screen-used lightsaber from the original trilogy to ever hit a public sale. Until now, this sort of relic has been tucked away in private collections or hidden behind museum glass. The last time something at this level surfaced was in 2022, when an original X-wing model went for over $2.3 million.

From Flashbulb to Sith Icon

The lightsaber’s story is nearly as cool as Star Wars itself. Built from the handle of a 1940s British camera flash, it’s a prime example of the saga’s genius for creative recycling. During duels, a wooden rod stood in for the blade, which was then brought to life with movie magic in post. Before it vanishes into a new owner’s vault (possibly for decades), Propstore is sending the saber on tour through London, New York, and Beverly Hills to stoke excitement among wealthy fans and collectors. And it won’t be alone—Indiana Jones’ whip and belt from The Last Crusade, the Men in Black neuralyzer, and Sauron’s helmet from The Fellowship of the Ring will all be on show. Personally, the Blade Runner crew’s windbreaker would be my pick.

A Galactic Relic for the Uber-Rich

Is a lightsaber really worth three million bucks? For diehard fans, absolutely. For skeptics, not even every last Republic Credit would do it. But for those with deep pockets, this isn’t just another chunk of metal and plastic—it’s the crown jewel of Star Wars collectibles, a mix of nostalgia, pop-culture history, and yes, a possible investment. Given how the market for iconic memorabilia keeps exploding, whoever claims this prize may not just be buying a piece of movie history—they could be betting on a future payoff worthy of an emperor, since many of these sales are pure speculation.

Once-in-a-Galaxy Opportunity

The auction’s timing lines up with the 45th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back, still one of the most beloved entries in the saga. That’s no accident—these events both celebrate pop culture and remind us that legends like Darth Vader live on, not just on the screen, but in the objects that gave them life. And like Dr. Jones said: “It belongs in a museum.”

So if you’re a Star Wars obsessive with a few million to spend, and you’ve spent years perfecting your villainous breathing in the bathroom mirror, here’s your shot at wielding a true Sith Lord’s weapon. After all, some things even the Dark Side can’t conjure up—but the right auction house just might.

Source: 3djuegos