Holy crap!





"This is one of the most exciting products that we have ever announced! The long anticipated original Darth Vader Helmet from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope . What makes this product so exciting (other than the fact that it is DARTH VADER !) is the history, the mystery and the lore behind the original prop. With the help of the Lucasfilm archives, we discovered a truly lost treasure! We actually found, what we believe, are the original molds made by Rick Baker of one of the original Darth Vader helmets from the long lost original molds in 1977! Incredibly, Lucasfilm allowed us to make a casting from these molds for our master pattern. Be sure to check out our "In Development" section to read more behind the development and lineage of this replica, coming soon!"

My question is, if this is really true - how much are they going to alter it? Is LFL going to require them to make changes???

Not only that, this is the first production made lid that I have ever really wanted. The MR Boba was close, but this takes the cake.

I really hope and pray they don't sanitize this piece. I understand why they would. To appeal to the masses. But I think that if they marketed the warts and all factor correctly they could educate all their consumers on why the warts should be there, and not have to ruin this awesome opportunity to provide a really accurate mask.

Dan

We actually found, what we believe, are the original molds

IMO highly unlikely, but interesting none the less.

This would be a welcomed release for the die hard fans and quite possibly an official product I would venture to buy. It will be flawed regardless IMO but a cool official Vader prop if they stick to what should be done, if they don't alter it too much that is.

Looks like a cleaned up SL in the image but I'll pass judgement when this is in hand. A nice looking piece, even if the final product will no doubt be sanitized.

yeah, this might just tempt me as well.

It'll be interesting to see how the final product compares to the SL.

I've got a rick baker casting.

I agree since they are supposed to be long lost or destroyed.

I hope there isn't too much cleanup and they're able to push this helmet as the "battle weathered" Vader to the general collectors who don't know or appreciate the intricacies of Vader like we do.

Really looking forward to seeing how this turns out.

Well sounds very nice, but i wait to be happy ,till we see pics of this " unbelievable awesome rare find of original Lucas mould from 1977" LOL.

Sounds cool, but I have to take it with a grain of salt. Rizzo (Muppets) was anounced ages ago as well and so far nothing :-/

It could turn out approximately like this:

Does this mean you have a Vader casting from these same molds?

The DJ and the SL and the MP (ESB Movie Poster) and the Funeral Pyre and several tour helmets are from this mold.

I know a number of people here have casts taken from the same lineage but for the mass market this is going to be (hopefully) a really impressive product - although unlike the Boba Fett (from the same team at MR) - just lets just hope that nothing happens at the 11th hour at the factory in China!

A number of people have been involved in this project and it initially started at least two years ago and prior to this the same team at MR was talking about the same thing. Certainly thats when I was first invited to assist, although I would be surprised if Gino's involvement has been for more than 3-4 months so "from the beginning" is stretching it a little. MR and EFX always wanted to do a OT Vader and ANH was their first choice if possible. Hence we looked at a number of options for a source and this included a number of people involved in both the movie and prop people you all know very well. I wont go into names since its not my position. However EFX should be aplauded in the way they handle these projects since are extremely open in using any and all resource thats available across fandom. They did that with the Fett, Stormtrooper, RMQ Vader previously and are doing same with the ANH Vader and Luke XWing helmets. Bravo to them I say.

Around Jan of this year, EFX came across what we know to be a mould in the LFL archive and was placed at the top of the "shortlist" as the best souce for the run. After a little investigation it was clear this was the RB mould and at that stage it was IMO the best souce they could use. At this stage we don't know whether in reality there could have been something better in the archive since (with respect) no one with the necessary level of knowledge has been able to go through the entire LFL Vader inventory and catalogue everything.

So the mould looked to be in excellent condition considering its age with the remnants of 5 sets of tabs on the forehead, the usual 3 with 2 additional between them at them sam intervals. Note that the holes (for the additional two) didnt line up with the MP helmet I had access to some time ago - not sure if thats relevant or not.

So my understanding at this point is that an initial casting was taken from the mould, and having seen originally back in Feb I was impressed with the definition, sharpness and that it reflects many of the surface markings, scrapes, bumps and dimples we've all seen in the original helmet. Since then this has subsequently been cleaned up by Gino - although I am sure with great care and respect to ensure it maintains as many of its foibles as possible.

EFX is desperately trying to get this ready for Comic Con but its going to be very tight. The pics are going to be superb.

Cheers

Jez
ps I though I'd post this here since I'm not looking for an argument on some of the points raised so would appreciate if we can keep any dialogue on any of the points I have raised at TPD.

Thanks for the inside info, Jez. Much obliged. I'm still fairly certain that the Rick Baker mold was made after the repaint of the original screen used helmet. Doesn't detract at all from what the mold is and what kind of casts it can produce. The source and lineage is over the top for a licensed replica, so if they can keep the sanitation to a minimum and don't fuck up on the paint job... the chance of getting something as lovely as the DJ helmet is a very high possibility. The fan owned casts from this mold will only be marginally better.

It is definitely the best news in Vader circles regarding licensed pieces that has been announced for as long as I can remember.

I'm not sure I know the eFX product ideas... but do they have any plans of less expensive options, like MR had with some of their runs? With this cast they could make the best lightweight troopable helmet in injection molded ABS... a worthy successor of the old DP CA... or is that not something they have the license for?