The original lightsaber wielded by Darth Vader has fetched a true bounty at auction this week, after being used by one of cinema’s most iconic villains in multiple Star Wars films.
Bidding on the sci-fi blade began at $500,000, ABC News reported, and while the item had been given an estimated sale value of between $1-3 million, it ultimately sold for even higher — just over $3.6 million.
For the original Star Wars movies, two versions of each lightsaber were produced — a version that only featured the hilt, to appear in scenes outside of combat, and another version in which a stunt blade could be attached. This lightsaber is Vader’s version of the latter — meaning it was used for the fight sequences in both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
In Empire, Darth Vader actor David Prowse and stunt performer Bob Anderson both wielded the weapon when the character confronted Luke Skywalker in Cloud City — and indeed, production photos associated with the auction suggest it was in-hand when Vader delivered his iconic line that reveals Luke’s true parentage.
In Return of the Jedi, this same prop was used again, in the climactic fight between Vader and Skywalker aboard the Second Death Star. There’s limited evidence that the blade was also used in the original Star Wars: A New Hope, too, although this matter has not been conclusively confirmed.
“As expected from a prop that saw extensive usage, the piece bears authentic signs of wear,” a document describing the piece states. “Far from diminishing its value, these marks serve as compelling evidence of the lightsaber’s direct involvement in the action — testament to its film-used authenticity.
“Darth Vader’s hero dueling lightsaber stands as one of the most historically significant Star Wars artifacts ever presented at auction,” the description continues. “This is the weapon of the most recognizable character in science fiction history, featured in the most critically acclaimed film of the franchise, The Empire Strikes Back, and in the trilogy’s epic conclusion, Return of the Jedi. The lightsaber has become the most iconic sci-fi weapon of all time — instantly recognizable and unmatched in cinematic legacy. This is the finest example of a genuine lightsaber with verifiable screen use ever offered at public auction.”
For something (slightly) more affordable, yesterday brought the official unveiling of LEGO’s latest Star Wars Death Star set — priced at the comparatively cheap $1,000.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
