Last year, Lucasfilm awarded Master Replicas the licensing rights to expand their line of prop replicas to include costumes and helmets. Since then, MR has been very busy designing some incredible replicas of these items for Star Wars fans, diligently working to make sure they meet collectors' expectations. In the case of Darth Vader's helmet, MR was able to obtain the original molds used to create the filming helmets. Several master patterns were pulled from these molds for MR's use. These masters were then sent to their factory to create production tooling.

There are numerous details and features that make this Episode III helmet readily discernable from prior versions seen in the original trilogy. All of these details have been recreated exactly by MR so that for the first time, collectors can own a licensed helmet replica that is virtually identical to the filming prop worn on-screen. These details and features include:

• Helmet separates into three components exactly like the original
• Full interior with correct leather lining, suede-covered padding, and all straps/connectors
• Correctly tinted, optically-clear lenses
• Accurate metal mesh patterns in the "mouth grill" and lenses
• Accurate 1:1 scale size
• Fully wearable with adjustable strapping.
• Beautiful super-high-gloss mono-chromatic black finish
• Machined metal "tusks"
• Comes complete with display stand and numbered plaque

The Darth Vader Studio Scale Helmet will be offered in three editions:

• Regular LE (MSRP $899); edition size TBD
• LE Signature Edition $1,049 (Hayden Christensen); a retailer exclusive with an edition size of 500
• LE Dual Signature Edition $1,499 (Hayden Christensen and James Earl Jones); edition size of 500

For the Vader aficionados, this could be the ultimate licensed Vader collectible. Stay tuned for more from Master Replicas' helmet and costume lines and more amazing releases in 2006 and beyond!