Lightsaber lawsuit: What lightsaber would George Lucas pick?
(Read article summary)Lightsaber lawsuit threat is withdrawn by Lucasfilms against a portable-laser manufacturer. So which is the best replica of the Star Wars weapon?
Listen up, all you Luke Skywalker wanna-bes. The empire has decided not to strike back.
Lucasfilms Ltd. has decided not to sue Wicked Lasers, a Hong Kong-based laser company, for designing the latest laser in its Pro Arctic Laser series to resemble a lightsaber.
The "Star Wars" creators sent the laser company a cease-and-desist letter last month, after reviews of its new portable laser on tech websites compared the product to a lightsaber. (The Pro Arctic Laser shoots a high-powered bright blue laser beam from a handle.)
After Wicked Laser made public statements asserting that the product was not endorsed by or affiliated with Lusasfilms, the company relented.
So now that we know that the Wicked Laser – “the most dangerous laser ever created,” according to the website – is not George Lucas's weapon of choice, what would the Star Wars director pick instead?
- For a top-of-the-line replica, he might opt for the $450 Obi Wan Kenobi Star Wars EP III: Revenge of The Sith FX Lightsaber, a Lucasfilms licensed collectible of the movie version weapon, complete with an exact replica handle and a blade.
- But that has a solid blade. If Mr. Lucas has some imagination (and it's pretty clear he has lots of imagination ), he might hold out for the lightsaber handle instead. That's right: no blade, no light. But a really cool grip. Not having a blade doesn’t necessarily bring down the cost. The bladeless Star Wars: Exclusive Episode VI: ROTJ Luke Skywalker Version 2 Lightsaber LE will set you back about $300.
- The $120 Star Wars Force FX Lightsaber might be a good option if he wanted something that looks authentic (it’s also a licensed collectible, though not an exact replica) and is good for dueling. This lightsaber comes in eight different styles that resemble swords used by Star Wars characters in different movies. LED lights line the inside of the sword's blade to give it a warm glow. And it makes battle sound effects.
- If he's looking for a model for a tiny Jedi in his life, he might want to go with Hasbro’s plastic Star Wars Basic Lightsaber, which comes with an extendable blade and a belt clip. And it's a bargain at $10.
But wouldn't Lucas want a real laser?
Well, there's the S3 Arctic Spyder III, which “possesses the most burning capabilities of any portable laser in existence” and will cause immediate and irreversible retinal and skin damage, according to the company’s website. Cost: $335.
Oh wait, that's the Wicked Laser that just escaped a Lucasfilm lawsuit. Maybe he'll have to wait until someone develops a better, safer – and licensed – version.
