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Props, short for “property,” used in films or TV shows include everything from giant bags of money to glasses on a bar to guns in holsters and beyond. It’s not the same as the set or costumes and wardrobe or even the special effects like animatronic heads and interactive robots. When it comes to props, I define it as “what actors hold and use to make them look cool.”
You can buy the actual props used on films—if you’re rich. Items like Stormtrooper MK II helmets from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Wolverine claws worn by Hugh Jackman in X-Men 2, and James Bond’s P99 gun with silencer from Tomorrow Never Dies are all going up for auction(Opens in a new window) via host Prop Store on Sept. 23. If you’ve got a few extra thousands lying about, replace that cash with a Grays Sports Almanac from Back to the Future: Part II or the Rocketeer’s helmet. Go ahead.
But you don’t have to spend big in a lot of cases, because the very best props from the most popular science fiction and fantasy are readily available as (mostly) affordable replicas. That’s what we’ve gathered here.
Here’s what you won’t find in this list: costumes, clothes, or armor. No masks or make-up effects. Well, there is one hat. What you will find are items that range from toys to full-blown actual weapons, suitable only for display. Yes, some items could be dangerous, even illegal to take outside, and certainly stupid as hell to brandish in public. Cosplayers, be smart—don’t get banned from the con.
These items are all decent, if not exact, replicas (sorry, Funko Dancing Groot(Opens in a new window)). They are full-sized (no letter opener versions of famous fantasy swords—and believe me, it kills my soul not finding a 1:1 sized Right Hand of Doom(Opens in a new window) from Hellboy). We give extra points if it’s functional beyond its appearance.
Let me say again: some of these items are dangerous! Even if it’s only in appearance. So “use” them in the spirit intended: to be gazed upon lovingly, as if you personally trudged back from a campaign in a war-scarred fantasy world and have the leftovers to prove it.
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1. Star Trek: Phaser Universal TV Remote
Still the coolest space-faring raygun of all, the Phaser from Star Trek: The Original Series came with two models, the tiny Type I and the pistol-grip Type II (into which the Type I slots perfectly). This replica has that—you can take out the Type I! What’s more, together or separate, it’s a gesture-based universal TV remote control that works with almost any infrared-controlled equipment.
If that’s too much, go for the $39.99 model without remote(Opens in a new window), or the more “modern” version from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock(Opens in a new window). You can also still find the Next Generation phaser (the “dustbuster”) as a remote for about $45 on Amazon(Opens in a new window).
2. Back to the Future: Mr. Fusion
That’s not a bad price for the device that converts garbage to energy! Then again, this doesn’t really do anything except look the part and make sounds. (We recommend you don’t really put in any garbage.)
The better way to pretend you’re in a time-traveling Delorean: Get the $25 Flux Capcitor USB Car Charger(Opens in a new window). It’s not a perfect replica, but it’s a damn useful USB car charger for your phone that looks the part.
3. The Walking Dead: Daryl’s Crossbow
Want to dress up like you’ve never bathed after a zombie apocalypse? Then you probably want to play Daryl Dixon. And you’ll need a crossbow. This is the officially licensed version. It has an oranged tipped quarrel –for safety—and it won’t even shoot—for more safety!
If you need the real thing, Daryl has used a Stryker Strykezone 380(Opens in a new window) since season 3, but looks like it’s no longer made. Damned Walkers.
4. Star Wars: Luke’s Lightsaber
This is just a cheap toy lightsaber. Why include it when there are nicer replicas of Luke’s second saber(Opens in a new window), and Darth Vader’s, even the purple bladed one used by
5. Game of Thrones: Longclaw
Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch Jon Snow’s longsword! Of course it is—it’s got a white direwolf on the hilt. That might suggest it came from his Dad,” Ned Stark, but it was actually passed down by the former Lord Commander, Jeor Mormont, whose family had it for five centuries. Which is all well and good, but what matters is that it’s made of Valyrian Steel, one of only a few such swords in the Seven Kingdoms. And it turns out, that steel is really, really good at killing white walkers (AKA wights). There’s also a scarab just for Longclaw(Opens in a new window) for another $195.
Naturally, this 39-inch blade isn’t for real use, not even chopping wood, as it’s not exactly full-tang. But it’ll look sweet on the wall. Only 2,500 have been made.
Other cool Game of Thrones/Song of Ice and Fire weapon replicas on this site include Robert Baratheon’s Warhammer(Opens in a new window), Brienne of Tarth’s Oathkeeper(Opens in a new window), and Needle, the sword of Arya Stark(Opens in a new window).
6. Firefly: Malcolm Reynold’s Pistol
You’ll never be a full browncoat until you have the right weaponry. You can look the part if you carry this non-functional replica of the weapon favored by the captain of the Serenity.
7. Doctor Who: The Sonic Screwdriver
It’s time to pre-order the brand-new, gesture-based TV remote control version of the latest Doctor’s ultimate tool, the Sonic Screwdriver. It will hold up to 39 remote control codes; you make a move, the tip lights up, the sound effects kick in, and something happens on your TV/stereo. With a flick of the wrist the ends extends into the claw opening.
If you want an affordable yet still fantastic replica of that same Sonic, it’s available for $20.99(Opens in a new window). Or, design your own(Opens in a new window).
8. Terminator 2: T-800 Arm
There’s only one of these handmade beauties available, giving it an extra air of authenticity, as if it was stolen right out Cyberdyne Systems just to go on your shelf. You can make your own replica with the few resin model kids still for sale(Opens in a new window) for around $82 on eBay. If the arm isn’t enough, pre-order a full-sized T-800 skull for $840(Opens in a new window).
9. The Avengers: Captain America’s Shield
You’d think finding a truly good Captain America shield would be easier, but most are very plastic-y looking and don’t look like what Cap carries in the movies. This one is different, probably because it is made of actual metal (and it’s a handmade one-off, yet still cheaper than some of the plastic options out there). If you’re going all out as the First Avenger, this is the way to go.
Other Avenger’s related props you can get: Mjolnir(Opens in a new window), the hammer of Thor; Ant-Man’s cybernetic helmet(Opens in a new window); the Infinity Guantlet of Thanos(Opens in a new window), and Loki’s Chitauri scepter holding the Tesseract(Opens in a new window).
10. Guardians of the Galaxy: Dancing Groot Premium Motion Statue
Movie makers should know by now that the coolest/cutest thing in the movie will make good merch. But even Marvel wasn’t sure Guardians would be a hit. So it took a while for a decent version of dancing baby Groot to hit shelves. You can also get the premium figure(Opens in a new window) that doesn’t move on its own for $59.
11. Harry Potter: The Sorting Hat
Use this hat to sort your kids into their rooms at night when they won’t go to sleep because they fear He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. The bad kids go to Slytherin. The good kids could also get Harry Potter wands: The Noble Collection(Opens in a new window) has replicas of those used by Harry, Ron, Hermione, Draco, Dumbledore, Sirius Black, Snape, and Lord Voldemort himself for $35 each.
12. Batman: Batarang
This is a replica of the small, gold, razor-sharp batarangs favored by Batman in The Dark Knight. It comes in its own 9-inch display case. If you like your rangs to be a little more active, get the plastic toy versions(Opens in a new window), or check out this replica from the Arkham Knight game(Opens in a new window), exclusive to GameStop, with pop-up wing and light up center.
13. Green Lantern: Power Battery
Let us speak not of the movie. But the comics are pretty great, and this foot-tall replica of Hal Jordan’s favorite tool to charge his ring is dead-on gorgeous. Naturally, there are also props for those who prefer Red Lanterns, Yellow Lanterns, and Black Lanterns. Get a set of Power Rings(Opens in a new window) while you’re at it, or a nice stainless steel green ring(Opens in a new window) for $39.
14. Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit: The One Ring
“One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.”
There is perhaps no more iconic piece of jewelry ever. This one is 18K gold-plated tungsten carbide—guaranteed to melt in the fires of Mt. Doom. Sizes 7 to 11. You can separately order a replica of the sterling silver chain Frodo wore to carry the ring around his neck for another $99. Get his sword Sting(Opens in a new window) for $129.99 while you’re at it.
Prefer to outfit yourself as another LotR character? We suggest Gandalf, as you can get his staff(Opens in a new window), his sword(Opens in a new window) (Glamdring the Foe-Hammer), and his pipe(Opens in a new window) pretty easily.
15. Indiana Jones: Fertility Idol
The little gold statue that kicked off one of the greatest adventure franchises of all time! This idol got Indy in a lot of trouble—and then he didn’t even get to keep it. But you can, without being chased by a giant spherical boulder at all. There’s also a shinier version for $139.99. Both come with an Aztec-motif stand.
16. Portal: P-Body Portal Device
In need of creating some portals to help you solve puzzles as you try to survive attacks by a mad, mean A.I.? Well, this won’t really help, but it’ll look cool when you put it on.
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Source link : https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-coolest-sci-fi-fantasy-prop-replicas-you-can-buy-online