| George Lucas' Original Prop Lightsaber | |
|---|---|
| |
| A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… | |
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Origin |
George Lucas/Star Wars |
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Type |
Studio prop |
|
Effects |
Works and behaves like a real lightsaber |
|
Downsides |
If the user harms anyone with the lightsaber, it will no longer work for that person. |
|
Activation |
Holding/Using activation switch |
|
Collected by |
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|
Section |
89165-952-34 |
|
Aisle |
|
|
Shelf |
1025-398-12 |
|
Date of Collection |
May 25, 1978 |
| [Source] | |
Origins[]
The original Star Wars, now better known as "A New Hope", was first released in 1977 and was known in early drafts as "The Adventures of Luke Skywalker". The concept was from the mind of George Lucas, whose idea was actually passed over by United Artists, Universal Pictures and Walt Disney Studios before securing a deal with 20th Century Fox. The film was released on May 25, 1977 and grossed $461 million in the United States alone, becoming the highest grossing film of all time until the release of E.T. in 1982.
The lightsaber was a weapon associated with the Jedi Knights and Sith Lords in the Star Wars universe. The blade was a beam of plasma contained in a force containment field, and could cut through almost every substance in the galaxy.
Effects[]
The lightsaber prop absorbed the fan base's response to the film, becoming an artifact which acts and behaves just like a real lightsaber (humming and whiring, cutting through objects, etc.). However, the artifact is aware of its wielders actions and will stop working if the wielder harms a person.
Collection[]
This artifact appeared in May 1978 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Warehouse received a ping about a criminal organization who appeared to have been involved in a crime where the victim was "Stabbed with a plasma beam from a stick". Upon arrival and further investigation, they discovered the artifact, and during the collection process attempted to Tesla the criminal holding it. The lightsaber absorbed the Tesla's energy, and the goon managed to slice off one of the agent's arms. However, at that point the lightsaber, aware of the actions the user had taken, shut off and would not reactivate, allowing the other agent to successfully Tesla the goon and collect the artifact.
It resided in the Ovoid Quarantine for several decades until 2015 (when The Force Awakens was to come out), when Pete started nagging Artie about finding the artifact a new home. Artie finally gave the artifact to Steve, who placed it in the Convention Aisle.
Trivia[]
- This artifact has to be held and used at least once a year, preferably in May, to keep it "happy".
- With the renewal of Star Wars films and six movies total scheduled to come out starting in 2015, this artifact is more active and appears to be drawn to people who enjoy Star Wars, attempting to move towards them whenever they pass by. Pete Lattimer and Megan Wilcoxson are the two agents that the artifact appears to be drawn to the most.
- This artifact was seen among others flying by Pete and Myka in 'Grand Designs' when Miguel de Cervantes' Windmill was creating a fierce storm.