Icons Terminator 2 Replicas

Here we have some Terminator 2 replicas.

The Future War Battlefield Skull (molded off originals used in filming). Some of these were sent to customers who ordered the 1:1 scale Endo Skeleton (to be part of the display base), some others were sold to public. 

Not a lot were made as only 8 full size Endo Skeletons were shipped to customers.

Only one Film Prop replica company produced Terminator 2 "Chrome-dipped" authentic replicas. 

After casting, all Icons T2 Endo Skeletons, Endo Skulls and Endo Arms were carefully prepped and sanded by Icons renown prep department. "Sanding is an art" said Dev Gilmore, Manufacturing Supervisor. "Without borderline perfect preparation, chrome plating will show flaws". 

Amazingly, Icons used THE SAME Triple liquid-Metal plating process that Stan Winston Studios used in the making of Terminator 2. 

Icons three-step plating process was known for being the finest in the nation, if not the world. "We went through 65 platers before choosing our final plater", said Paul Francis, Manufacturing Manager. "Plating polyurethane and fiberglass is very tricky business". 

Each Endo component is treated with an electro-static coat and then dipped in liquid copper and then liquid chrome. The results are astounding. The final gleaming finish is cold to the touch, as if solid metal. 

"Electro-plating" and "vacuum-metalizing" (in China) IS NOT "Chrome-dipping" (in the U.S.A.). Nor is liquid-Nickel AND Copper used in electro-plating. Icons Endo products weigh more, shine better, have thicker plating and a more gleaming luster than ANY on the market. To this very day. THERE IS A MAJOR DIFFERENCE !!!

Icons Starship Troopers Rodger Young Miniature

Here is an extremely detailed Sony Studios authorized, authenticated and licensed miniature from the cult classic science fiction film Starship Troopers manufactured in the U.S.A. by Icons Authentic Replicas. The now legendary, pioneering and often controversial collectible company that dominated the Film & Television studio licensed prop and miniature replica business for 5 years (from 1995 to 2000), and influenced the high quality standards limited edition film and television collectible and toy companies that follow to this day. This rare piece measures an impressive, yet decor convenient 18 3/4" long by 5" wide.

Prior to Icons closing its doors forever in the Spring of 2000, the company downsized from its immense 35,000 sq. ft. hangar warehouse in North Hollywood, California, to its original 3,000 sq. ft. smaller headquarters in Sun Valley, California. Here, a last ditch effort by two of the original 6 Icons company founders and a valiant handful of dedicated Icons employees tried in vain to save the visionary company. At one point, even local fans and efficiados of Icons would stop by and work for free to attempt to contribute to the efforts.

The two key licensed replicas that were produced in Icons final location in Sun Valley, California, were the, now legendary, Nautilus miniature replica from 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (the finest ever produced in the world, at a cost of over $100,000.00 and $300,000.00 in licensing fees, which took 1 year to research, design, develop, fabricate, mold and master), and the Rodger Young miniature from Starship Troopers. 

Less than 50 Rodger Young's were ever produced and shipped by Icons. This is the final Rodger Young miniature replica ever produced at Icons Authentic Replicas. So, it has extra meaning !!!

Icons Authentic Replicas was the master license holder on Starship Troopers replicas in every category. Including wardrobe replicas. Two of Icons freelance R&D consultants were professional Hollywood miniature model makers with very impressive bio's. These sources were also key miniature fabricators on the Starship Troopers feature film. The miniature replica seen on the pics above was cast from a first generation mold, taken directly off of an original Rodger Young model, built as a miniature for use in production (as well as for executive display models presented as gifts to key Sony Studio executives and producers of the cult classic film). Starship Troopers, to this very day, maintains a fan following that only continues to grow worldwide.

Icons Braveheart William Wallace Sword Prototype

This one of a kind Braveheart, Icons Authentic Replicas William Wallace sword prototype was fabricated in late 1995 early 1996, by prop masters Bear Burge and Dragon Donet, who worked as weapons and armor-makers for many television productions and feature films.

It was fabricated as a licensing prototype to be submitted to Paramount Pictures licensing.

Licensing was almost granted to Icons, but a noted sword replicator secured the license just prior to Icons completing this prototype.

The piece consists of a long, quality made, Toledo sword blade imported from Spain by Icons. A handmade-machined hilt, which boasts custom metal engraving and very detailed, battle weathering. The piece is further enhanced with quality, butterscotch hand sewn leather.

Displayed in an oversized display case with custom plaque.

Note : the plaque (one of Icons first), was produced prior to the company's pillar / sun logo being designed, so it does not feature the final Icons logo.

Icons Jurassic Park Velociraptor Egg Replica

Here's a unique limited-edition prop replica, licensed by Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment for the smash blockbuster hit, Jurassic Park. A Studio authorized and authenticated 1:1 scale, first generation, Jurassic Park "Velociraptor Egg" prop replica molded directly off of a screen-used original "Hero" prop, fabricated by Stan Winston Studios for Steven Spielberg's hugely popular dinosaur extravaganza.

Much like the Icons Velociraptor Claw prop replica, Icons had fun attempting to come up with some type of simulated "archeological-dig" display base.

Icons R&D referred to photos of actual dinosaur egg fossils and it was noted that actual dinosaurs would often bury their eggs in clusters in rock nests. It was decided to play off of this factual information by creating a rock cradle-like nest, to display the Velociraptor prop replica eggs.

Much like it is during filming on movie sets for film crews, the Icons staff had to utilize what was conveniently at hand to create something that was necessary. So, one of the Icons Fabrication and Design Group staff walked up and down Sherman Way adjacent to Burbank Airport and picked up some stones that were laying on the ground. In their natural state. These were brought back to Icons Fab & Design's shop and methodically and carefully glued together in artistic fashion, with the Velociraptor egg prop replica rock-nest (egg-holder) concept in mind.

A small engraved plaque bearing the initials USC (for Universal Studios copyright) and Amblin (for Steven Spielberg's production company name which he got from the name of his student film project "Amblin") was glued to the reverse side of the rock nest display. This hand-made display was then molded in Silicone and castings fabricated. These were then carefully airbrushed by Icons talented paint crew to identically match the original rocks found on the roadside.

It was brought up by one member of the Icons R&D staff that the Velociraptor egg should be hollow. Possibly "roto-cast" instead of it being cast in solid resin. This became a cost issue because Icons, at the time, did not have a roto-cast machine and new molds for roto-casting would have to be created.

Faced with this obstacle, it was decided that this manufacturing problem might actually become a positive marketing feature...one key member of the Icons creative team asked "Well..., how much does a real Ostrich egg weigh on the average ?" And, amazingly, it was found the Icons Velociraptor egg weighed the exact same weight as an Ostrich egg...1 3/4 pounds on average !! This interesting information was included in sales specifications for the item.

 

This is an early prototype for the JP egg coa. You can see some memos with annotations from Icons staff.

Icons Predator 2 "Combi-Stick" Spear Replica "Master"

Here's another fine piece. This is an original, rarely seen 1:1 scale original Predator 2 Combi-Stick Spear replica "master" created by Icons Authentic Replicas.

This stunning and dynamic quality piece was molded off of a screen-used original created by the Academy Award winning special effects shop, Stan Winston Studios, for the hit sequel to Predator. Icons was provided access to a production-used stunt Combi-Stick Spear for a brief time for it to be studied, reverse engineered, molded, cast in 1630 hard-set resin to create this authentic replica of the original.

The spear itself is a very interesting piece. The main body is cast in one complete section, but the very sharp alien arrowheads are all attached individually in a cluster, which creates a very intense alien weapon effect. The weight of the piece is heavy, yet light enough to still have a good feeling of balance to the piece.

The spear, as you can see in the pic above, has extreme detail, which is a testament to the amazing talent of the Stan Winston Studio's sculptors. There can be no doubt that the original stunt version of this prop was molded directly off of the functioning Hero prop utilized in the filming of Predator 2. There are multiple unique features to the main body portion of the spear, including what appears to be a Predator alien instrument panel reminiscent of the gauntlet control mechanisms seen in the first and second Predator films. The piece seems to be biomechanical in design, in that it has textures and accents reminiscent of bones and veins.

Icons release of the Predator Helmet, Predator Throwing Disc and Combi-Stick Spear was the first time any Predator 1:1 scale motion picture replicas were ever produced that were licensed, authorized and authenticated by 20th Century Fox Studios. Though, Master Replicas reproduced the Predator disc and spear, the unique alien wall rack that Icons created was not offered by them.

The Icons Predator Helmet wall rack, Throwing Disc and Combi-Stick Spear wall rack were all designed by Icons creative and product development departments to create the effect of a Predator spacecraft armory display. Each of these three dynamic pieces were hand sculpted from scratch by a film and television craftsman. The latter two of these were sculpted by the supervisor of the Icons Fabrication and Design group (1998-99), who went on to work on The Scorpion King, Van Helsing, Kingdom of Heaven, Underworld : Revolutions, after the closure of Icons.

I heard that less than 50 Predator Combi-Stick prop replica spears were ever sold or shipped by Icons.

When the Predator Helmet, Throwing Disc and Combi-Stick props are displayed together on a wall, it is a striking display, to say the least.

The Combi-Stick Spear measures an impressive yet decor convenient (approx.) 31" long by 4" wide.

Icons Endo Skeleton Display Plaque

Here's a very rare artifact from one of the most ambitious film replica projects of all time. Which was undertaken from 1996 until 1998. The 1:1 scale reproduction of the Stan Winston Studios full-size Endo Skeleton seen in James Cameron's Terminator 2 : Judgment Day.

Prior to Icons, no company had ever attempted such a feat. It was unheard of. Like the replication of the Endo Skull, Endo Arm, Endo Rifle, etc. Icons spent hundreds of thousands of dollars reverse engineering hundreds of parts & components used in the making of the legendary screen-icon. At the time, Stan Winston Studios was known to have sold Endo Skeleton replicas at $100,000.00 USD !!!

This piece is one of 10 original Endo Skeleton all metal etched plaques, created to accompany the full-size Endo Skeleton replicas produced by Icons. Of which only "8" were ever completed & shipped, in Icons renown "Robot Factory", prior to the company's tragic closure in the Spring of 2000.

Interestingly, following the closure of the company, Icons research materials, molds & masters were turned over the Licensor where they were passed down to the companies who produce T2 replicas today.

Extremely limited, unnumbered / unissued, less than 10 made !! Measures 7" wide by 5" high.

This is a damaged (I guess) number 3.

Icons Batman's Batarang

Here we have an Ice Batarang, as seen in the movie "Batman & Robin". 

Made by the now defunct company Icons Authentic Replicas, this Batman's Batarang replica is a precise reproduction of an original Batarang used in filming "Batman & Robin".

A master mold was taken directly off of an original used by actor George Clooney in his role as Batman, the Dark Knight of Gotham City. Spun cast in zinc metal and then chrome plated, with a simulated serrated edge, each Batarang is hand assembled under the direct supervision of film and television special effects artisans in the U.S.A.

The black Plexiglas display base features an interesting Mr. Freeze simulated blue-ice background, originally sculpted from a real piece of ice then molded & casted by Icons Fab & Designs Max Cervantes.

An edition of only 500 units were created for Warner Brothers Studio stores back in 1997, this one is number 311, but it is believed that Icons has never made the full run of this Batman's Batarang before they closed their doors forever.

The picture above is an original hand-sketched prototype drawing of the piece, made by Daren Dochterman.

Just above are early COAs for the Batman's Batarang.

Here is a picture provided by Max Cervantes who sculpted the carved ice background !! He sculpted it from real ice and then he took a mold off of the real ice to then be able to cast up the ice background......amazing piece and such a great idea !!!