Iconic Star Wars Prop Sets an Eye-Watering Record at Auction

In the Star Wars universe, one of the most well-known symbols is the lightsaber. Now, a lucky bidder has taken home one of the iconic red lightsabers used in the original Star Wars movies.

Propstore, which specializes in selling screen-used film props, recently auctioned off a lightsaber used by Darth Vader in two of the three original trilogy films. According to Deadline, the prop sold for a record $3.6 million at Propstore’s recent auction. The saber sold for $2.9 million plus a $700,000 buyer's premium paid to the auction house.

The saber sold at auction was used by Darth Vader in duels in the films The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and The Return of the Jedi (1983). While Star Wars fans likely associate Darth Vader with James Earl Jones, who voiced the villainous character, the saber sold at auction was reportedly used on-screen by actor David Prowse, who played Vader as well as his stunt double Bob Anderson.

In addition, at the recent Propstore auction, a bullwhip belt from Indiana Jones sold for $486,100, and a Ressikan Flute and screen-matched box from Star Trek: The Next Generation’s episode “The Inner Light” sold for $403,000.

“Today’s result marks a landmark moment not just for Propstore, but for the entire world of film collecting. To see a Star Wars lightsaber - the symbol of one of cinema’s greatest sagas - become the highest-value piece of the franchise ever sold at auction is incredibly special,” said Propstore COO Brandon Alinger. “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,” Alinger added.

Star Wars Remains a Popular Franchise Nearly Five Decades Later

The first Star Wars movie was released nearly 50 years ago in 1977, and set off a franchise that would span generations and millions of fans around the world. It continues to spawn new iterations, including the Disney+ series’ The Mandalorian, Andor, Ahsoka, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Additionally, new Star Wars feature films are in development, including The Mandalorian and Grogu, as well as Star Wars: Starfighter. Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian and Grogu is set for a May 22, 2026, release and will star Pedro Pascal reprising his role as The Mandalorian and will also feature Emmy-winner Jeremy Allen White as the voice of Jabba the Hutt’s son, Rotta the Hutt. Sigourney Weaver is also set to make her Star Wars debut in the film that will be directed by Favreau from a script by Dave Filoni and Favreau.

Director Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine) is set to get behind the camera for Star Wars: Starfighter, which will star Ryan Gosling, Amy Adams (Man of Steel), Matt Smith (House of the Dragon), and Mia Goth (Frankenstein). Starfighter was announced officially earlier this year at Star Wars Celebration in Japan, with Gosling confirmed to star in the film.

Lucasfilm stated that the movie will be set at the furthest point in the franchise’s timeline, which will be five years after what took place in 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Levy did confirm that while Starfighter will be set during that timeline, it is not a prequel nor a sequel, but is, in fact, “a new adventure,” set in the iconic galaxy far, far away. Starfighter will be directed by Levy from a script by Jonathan Tropper and open in theaters on May 28, 2027.

The Star Wars franchise is streaming on Disney+.