A legendary relic from the original Star Wars films has finally returned. Long thought to be lost, the authentic X-Wing starfighter model has reemerged and will serve as the centerpiece of an upcoming auction event.
The original 20-inch model of an X-wing starfighter was a vital component of the iconic space battle scenes in the 1977 classic Star Wars. It is believed to be the elusive "missing X-wing" that was once part of the extensive collection curated by the late Oscar-nominated modelmaker Greg Jein. After decades of being "lost", it has been rediscovered after being hidden in a cardboard box in Jein's home.
Now that that artifact has been found, it is set to make one Star Wars fan very happy. According to The Hollywood Reporter, it is scheduled to go under the hammer at a Heritage Auction to be held in Dallas on October 14 to 15, 2023. The reported opening bid for the X-wing has been set at $400,000.
What Is The Significance of The Lost X-Wing?
The particular X-wing is especially important to Star Wars. It is known as the "Red Leader" (Red One) and was meticulously crafted by Industrial Light & Magic for Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. In the film, the X-wing was piloted by Garven Dreis as he led the Red Squadron in the Battle of Yavin. Dreis was played by the late actor Drewe Henley in A New Hope and the character reappeared in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
The model stands out as one of only four "hero" filming miniatures, distinguished by its servo-controlled wings and illuminating lights. As per the auction's description, these hero models were specifically designed for close-up shots and played a crucial role in the climactic trench run scene.
Moreover, the model holds significance as a piece of lore within the realm of visual effects. Kozicki highlights that there have long been tales of hero models that remained untraceable during the transition of Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) from California's San Fernando Valley to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1978. Luckily, Jein managed to keep the item safe until it was rediscovered earlier this year. So if you're interested in owning a piece of Star Wars lore and have a cool $400,000 to spare, you can check out the collection catalog here.
