This is the closest MCU superfans can get to being Cap, Iron Man, or Black Panther (exclusive)
Ever feel the urge to heft Captain America’s star-spangled shield, Chris Evans-style? Don the original Iron Man helmet just like Robert Downey Jr.? Or slip on the Wakandan royal ring of the Blank Panther line, à la Chadwick Boseman?
Thanks to Marvel Studios’ resident prop master, Russell Bobbitt, superfans can get closer than ever before to the Cinematic Universe. As Bobbitt explains in the above video, he and his team have created a limited-edition series of exact-replica props using the same molds, materials, and artisanal fabrication techniques as their onscreen counterparts.
Due to extreme fan interest in the movie props, Bobbitt and Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige have launched Marvel Masterworks for the ultimate collectors timed to this year’s 10th anniversary of the MCU. The high-end line has kicked off with five replicas — the Mark I helmet from Iron Man, Steve Rogers’s Black Panther-scarred shield from Captain America: Civil War, the royal Wakandan ring seen in Civil War and Black Panther, the Groot puppet from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and Doctor Strange‘s Eye of Agamotto (which had a key role in this summer’s Avengers: Infinity War) — each with an individually numbered signed certificate of authenticity from Bobbitt. The pieces are hand-made upon ordering and come delivered in a deluxe Pelican case, similar to the ones used by Bobbitt to haul the actual props, with display stand.
Samples will be on display this weekend at New York Comic Con, but you True Believers can get a close-up look below along with the official description.
Iron Man Mark I Helmet
From the film that launched the MCU, this $3,650 helmet is identical to the one forged by Tony Stark while he was held captive by the Ten Rings. A maximum of 50 will be made.
The design for the film’s Iron Man Mark I helmet prop was inspired by the story idea of Tony only having the ability to use salvaged parts from Stark missiles. However, the team recognized that if it was made using solid steel, it would weigh approximately 40 pounds and couldn’t be worn on set for long periods of time. To accommodate the rigorous filming schedule, the helmet was made of resin and lined using real leather. It also featured a comfortable headpiece to allow the actor to have more control over head movements. The team developed the perfect mix of paint finishes and textures to make the helmet still appear metallic.
Captain America’s Shield
With a limited run of up to 50, this $4,100 24-inch shield is an exact duplicate of the iconic weapon wielded in Civil War. Besides, with Chris Evans ready to retire, Marvel needs a new Cap and it’s never too early to start practicing your shield skills.
Each shield is hand made from spun aluminum and consists of over 50 individual pieces. To limit the weight of the shield, Russell Bobbitt and the team invented a way to create the outer shell in aluminum and fill the interior with an engineered foam product over armatures to hold all the parts together. The shield’s handles are hand crafted out of leather sourced to emulate materials that could have been found in the early 1940s (the time period in which Captain America’s shield was created by Howard Stark). During filming of Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War,” the Black Panther claw marks were created using computer generated imagery (CGI). For this piece, the Black Panther claw marks are being etched by hand and put through a scenic aging process, making each shield unique.
The Eye of Agamotto
Like the version in Doctor Strange and Infinity War, this replica relic, with a limited run of 50 ($3,550 each) actually glows with the power of the Time Stone, using proprietary materials conceived by Bobbitt’s team.
The Eye of Agamotto Authentic Film Prop Duplicate from “Avengers: Infinity War” is made from several different materials and requires expert workmanship and an eye for detail as multiple craftsmen bring it to life. Made primarily of tooled brass, this prop has the grandeur worthy of carrying the Time Stone, one of the six Infinity Stones in the storyline. The lanyard used to carry the Eye of Agamotto is constructed by the hand of a highly talented leather smith who hand turns and weaves each piece to perfection so no two lanyards are exactly alike.
Groot Puppet
He is Groot. There will only be 150 of these puppet replicas created at $2,550 apiece.
Even though Groot as seen in the film was created using computer generated imagery (CGI), the design team created a physical puppet of Groot for use on set during filming with the live cast. Puppeteered by Russell Bobbitt himself, the prop puppet was crucial to the film making process so the actors could have a focal point to look at and react to. The Groot puppet was hand-sculpted then molded and cast into a soft rubber material. For this piece, the moss, roots, and leaf details have all been hand placed and colored.
T’Chaka’s Black Panther Ring
This is a replica of the Wakandan royal ring originally worn by T’Chaka and inherited by T’Challa. There will be 250 created at $1,450 each.
The design of the ring is inspired by Black Panther’s mask. The eye in the center of the ring emulates the Black Panther’s eyes. After the design process, there was a rigorous testing of the right finish to properly bring vibranium to life. T’Chaka’s ring is made from sterling silver, hand finished, and plated with white and black rhodium.
For more information on the collection and information on how to order, visit Disney’s Marvel Masterworks website.
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