Disney may be working on bringing the signature Star Wars lightsabers to our Republic.
According to a patent filed in 2018 by Disney and new reporting from The Verge, the company is working on perfecting a prop lightsaber that looks and feels like the "real" thing, minus the ability for major bodily harm.
Ben Ridout, a virtual reality and augmented reality web developer, posted an animation explaining the design on Twitter on April 11. It's a simple design, using the same mechanism as a mechanical tape measure to expand and retract. The effect is much closer to the classic lightsaber drawing from the Star Wars franchise than Disney's past props.
Did #Disney invent a real working #lightsaber?
— Ben Ridout (@benridout) April 12, 2021
Yes they did.
It won't melt through metal blast doors, or cut off your hand, but it does feature an illuminated blade that will extend and retract at the push of a button.
This animation shows the concept behind the tech. pic.twitter.com/e7fwP06CxF
Disney has sold plastic retractable lightsabers before. The company also sells more expensive non-retractable lightsabers that look closer to the props shown in the Star Wars franchise. This patent, however, is notable because it would be both retractable and realistic-looking. There's a third-party market for realistic-looking lightsabers, but they don't retract in the same way as this new prototype.
According to The Verge, the prototype was unveiled at a Disney Parks presentation, when the chairman pulled out the retractable lightsaber, much to the delight of fans like Ridout. As of now, it's unclear when or if the lightsabers will be ever be released, and whether they'll be available to the public or limited to Disney Parks.
Disney Parks has been leaning into the Star Wars franchise as it released a new trilogy and spinoffs, creating a new park called Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge that features a lightsaber-making station, which the new retractable lightsabers could be used for. Disney Parks is also constructing a hotel in Epcot to tie into the Star Wars park where guests can stay in a hotel and experience "an immersive adventure."
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