Darth Vader’s Lightsaber From 1980s ‘Star Wars’ Films Sells for More Than $3.6 Million at Auction

The original prop was featured in 1980’s ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ and 1983’s ‘Return of the Jedi.’

A replica of the Darth Vader costume. Stefano Buttafoco/Shutterstock

The fiery red lightsaber wielded by the villainous Darth Vader in two of the original “Star Wars” films sold for more than $3.6 million at auction this week.

The screen-matched dueling prop was featured in the Los Angeles-based Propstore auction house’s “Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction” event.

Bidding for the lightsaber closed at a record $2.9 million on Thursday, with the final total coming in at $3,654,000, with the inclusion of the buyer’s premium.

Propstore’s chief operating officer, Brandon Alinger, said the sale was “a landmark moment” not only for the auction house, but for the entire world of film collecting at large.

“To see a Star Wars lightsaber—the symbol of one of cinema’s greatest sagas—become the highest-valued piece of the franchise ever sold at auction is incredibly special,” he said in a statement.

“It speaks to the enduring cultural power of Star Wars and the passion of fans and collectors who see these artifacts as touchstones of modern mythology.”

The lightsaber was constructed from a camera flash bulb attachment manufactured in the UK in the 1950s.

The prop—which according to the auction listing is “one of the most memorable film props from the original trilogy”—was used extensively by British actor David Prowse and stunt performer Bob Anderson in the 1980 sci-fi film “The Empire Strikes Back” and the 1983 follow-up “Return of the Jedi.”

The two films—directed by Irvin Kershner and Richard Marquand, respectively—are part of George Lucas’s original “Star Wars” trilogy.

Actor David Prowse, who was the man in the black Darth Vader suit in the first Star Wars film, signs autographs on May 26, 2007, at Star Wars Celebration IV in Los Angeles, marking the 30th anniversary of the release of the first film in the Star Wars saga. Reed Saxon/AP Photo

The film franchise began with “Star Wars: A New Hope,” released in 1977. Three prequel installments ensued, chronicling Darth Vader’s origin story: “Episode I–The Phantom Menace” (1999), “Episode 2–Attack of the Clones” (2002), and “Episode 3–Revenge of the Sith” (2005).

A sequel trilogy was also released, along with several spin-off films, such as “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016) and “Solo: A Star Wars Story” (2018).

More than 400 props were auctioned off during the first day of Propstore’s “Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction.” Among them were the eight-foot bullwhip, whip holster, and belt used by actor Harrison Ford in the 1989 adventure film “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” which sold for $485,100.

Other costumes included the red-and-blue suit worn by actor Tobey Maguire in the 2004 superhero flick “Spider-Man 2,” which auctioned for $289,800, as well as a mask donned by Ryan Reynolds in 2016’s “Deadpool,” which closed at $21,420.

The wooden Platform 9 3/4 sign featured in the 2001 fantasy film “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” went for $138,600, while a compound bow used by Sylvester Stallone in 1998’s “Rambo III” sold for $94,500.

More than 600 additional props remain up for bidding at the auction event, which runs through Sept. 6.