Actors Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor as Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi in The Phantom Menace The lightsaber used by Liam Neeson’s character Qui-Jon Jinn in 1999 blockbuster Star Wars: The Phantom Menace is expected to fetch up to $80,000 (£62,000) at auction next month. The iconic prop is being sold alongside a host of other movie objects at the Entertainment Memorabilia auction in Los Angeles between August 15-18. The lightsaber hilt was held by the Northern Irish actor during filming of the Star Wars prequel and estimates by the auction house say the prop will sell for anywhere between $40,000 (£31,000) to $80,000, with bidding starting at $20,000 (£15,000).
The replica is seen in many of the film’s most memorable scenes including the jedi knight’s fight with battle droids and in his fatal final duel against Darth Maul – the film’s iconic villain. The prop is even more significant as Ballymena-born Neeson personally picked this hilt design for his character in the film. Describing the lot, the site says: “The film introduced audiences to the world before A New Hope, with a far younger Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), then a padawan under Master Jinn.
"It shattered numerous box office records, and dethroned Jurassic Park's records for both largest single-day gross and fastest to gross $100 million USD in five days. "This prequel film was nominated for numerous Academy Awards®, BAFTA®, and Grammy Awards® for technical and musical achievements. “Many iterations of lightsabers were designed for The Phantom Menace under the direction of design director Doug Chiang, with each Jedi having a uniquely crafted lightsaber designed to reflect their personality.
“This lightsaber hilt is constructed primarily from resin. It has a steel blade emitter (a feature unique to the film's lightsaber props) and features ribbed detailing running from the emitter down to the base, creating a grip. "It is finished in black and silver-color paint, and a red static activator switch adorns one side.
Included is a removable plastic clip for hooking onto a belt.” It’s not the only movie prop being sold at the auction with a local interest, with the coat worn by Hollywood actress Kate Winslet during the iconic sinking scene in Titanic expected to fetch up to $250,000 (£200,000). Known as the ‘sinking coat’ in the 1997 blockbuster, the fashion piece is expected to be sold for anywhere between $125,000 (£96,000) at the lowest estimate, all the way up to around $250,000 (£200,000).
The light-pink coat – which features black curlicue embroidery on its collar and cuffs – is first seen worn in the film by Winslet’s character shortly after the boat hits the iceberg, as she tries to search for information alongside her mother and fiancé Cal..
