In a stunning turn of events reminiscent of a plot twist from the beloved saga itself, a long-lost X-Wing fighter model from the original 1977 “Star Wars” film has soared to new heights, fetching a staggering $3.1 million at auction. This 20-inch model, used in the dramatic final battle scene in “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope,” was part of a trove of memorabilia belonging to the late Oscar-nominated visual effects artist Greg Jein.
Discovered buried under packing peanuts in a cardboard box in Jein’s garage, the X-Wing model was not only a jaw-dropping find for collectors but also an artifact of immense cultural significance. As the “most expensive Star Wars screen-used prop sold at auction,” according to Joe Maddalena, executive vice president at Heritage Auctions.
Constructed by George Lucas’s Industrial Light & Magic, the model is one of only four known “hero” models built for close-up shots in the film. It was intricately detailed, featuring articulating wings, working lights, and the storied battle scars from its victorious run in the film. A historical piece that had not been displayed or modified since it left the visual effects studio, the X-Wing had been untouched and preserved, earning it the nickname “white whale” among visual effects historians.
The model’s providence remained a compelling mystery. Speculations abound that Jein may have acquired it while working on Steven Spielberg’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” another film that shared part of its visual effects team with “Star Wars.”
Gene Kozicki, a visual effects historian who was instrumental in the discovery, shared his awe upon finding the model: “We were carrying on like kids on Christmas.”
The auction attracted more than 2,200 bidders, including Hollywood model makers, collectors, and sci-fi aficionados. The sale of the X-Wing, which had an opening price of $400,000, was part of a larger auction of Jein’s collection that totaled $13.6 million. Among the items sold were a complete Stormtrooper costume from “A New Hope” and a spacesuit from “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
Greg Jein’s legacy extended beyond his X-Wing model. He was a revered figure in the special effects industry, having worked on a wide array of iconic films including “The Dark Knight Rises,” “The Hunt for Red October,” and “Avatar.”
Relevant articles:
– Long-lost Star Wars X-Wing model auctioned for a record-breaking $3.1m
– Long-lost X-wing model from original ‘Star Wars’ rakes in $3.1 million in Dallas auction, The Dallas Morning News, Wed, 18 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT
– Long-lost 1977 Star Wars X-Wing model sold for over $3 million at auction, WION, Mon, 16 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT
– Long-lost ‘Star Wars’ X-wing model up for auction with starting price of $400,000, CNN, Mon, 11 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT