Princess Leia’s itsy bitsy metal bikini from “Return of the Jedi,” is up for grabs at an upcoming auction, but it’s another “Star Wars” item going under the hammer that could command an out-of-this-world price.
An on-screen model of a Y-wing starfighter, one of the ships that helps destroy the Death Star in the original “Star Wars” movie, could fetch $1 million, according to Heritage Auctions, which will kick off the two-day sale July 25.
The 27.5” x 14.5” x 4.5″ resin and metal l Y-wing starfighter has a starting bid of $300,000, according to Heritage Executive Vice President Joe Maddalena, who noted an original, 20-inch model of an X-wing starfighter also used in the flick sold for $3.1 million at auction last year.
The offering is “so important,” because “this is a real effect,” he said. It is one of only two Y-wing filming miniatures used for closeups in the movie.
“Everything you’re seeing now is not real,” he noted about movies today. “It’s computer generated.”
“That’s the best thing in the auction,” Maddalena added.
Carrie Fisher fans might disagree.
The famously skimpy outfit, which was a prototype for the scene when Princess Leia was Jabba the Hutt’s slave in “Return of the Jedi,” has a starting bid of $30,000 and includes a bikini brassiere, two bikini plates (front and back), two hip rings, one armlet and a bracelet.
Multiple versions of the inter-galactic get-up were made for the flick, and Fisher found this particular iteration, made of resin and urethane, too uncomfortable to wear, Maddalena noted.
Still, he added: “I wouldn’t be surprised if it sold for $100,000.”
The auction, assembled from many consigners, also includes the USS Excelsior from the “Flashback” episode of “Star Trek: Voyager,” along with original artwork created for the series.
Plus there are 25 lots from “Sopranos” actor Joe Pantoliano’s career, including scripts from the HBO series, as well as the iconic bucket hat worn by Bob Denver’s character in the TV show “Gilligan’s Island.”
Bidding has commenced online, and in-person two-day auction runs July 25 to 26 in Dallas.
