“Star Wars” is one of the most significant movie franchises of all time. As a result, props and memorabilia from the movies often fetch a pretty penny when sold. Now, Darth Vader’s lightsaber from “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi” has been auctioned off for an astronomical amount to one proud fan.
This is the Most Expensive ‘Star Wars’ Prop Sold at Auction to Date
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the highly sought-after “Star Wars” lightsaber was auctioned off on September 4. The winning bid was $2,900,000, marking a franchise record for props. However, after the additional buyer’s premium, which goes to the auction house, the total came out to $3,654,000.
As mentioned, the highly coveted lightsaber was used in both “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi.” Both “Star Wars” star David Prowse and his stunt double, Bob Anderson, held it on screen in the movies. The outlet reports that the “Star Wars” prop had a presale value between $1 million and $3 million. Notably, this is the only hero lightsaber from the original movies to be put up for auction.
Propstore COO Brandon Alinger issued a statement regarding the sale. He said, “Surviving genuine lightsaber props from the original trilogy of films are exceedingly rare, and Propstore is honored to present this historic artifact in our September sale.” The statement continued, “It is a grail-level piece, worthy of the finest collections in the world.”
As many fans will know, 2025 is the 45th anniversary of “The Empire Strikes Back,” making this purchase even more special for the fan who went home with the lightsaber. However, this wasn’t the only notable item sold during the auction. Anakin Skywalker’s stunt dueling lightsaber from the prequel films sold for $126,000. This amount is twice the presale estimate.
In addition to “Star Wars” props, there were items sold from “Indiana Jones,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” The in-person bidding took place at L.A.’s Petersen Automotive Museum.
The Franchise is Still Going Strong
It’s been a while since the latest film in the franchise, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” was released in 2019. Still, the franchise remains strong, with multiple Disney+ series, some of which have become quite popular.
Now, there’s a new film in the works. According to Deadline, it’s called “Star Wars: Starfighter.” The cast for the upcoming movie includes Ryan Gosling, Flynn Gray, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Amy Adams, and more. It will arrive in movie theaters on May 28, 2027.
