The Avengers: A rare Stormbreaker axe prop used by Thor in Avengers: Infinity War,

Marvel Studios, 2018,

Footnotes

"In Marvel Studios' Avengers: Infinity War, Thor travels to the star Nidavellir, where he works as a team with Rocket, Groot and the weapon-maker Eitri to create the axe-hammer Stormbreaker to take into battle for the Avengers' valiant efforts to defeat the mighty Thanos."

During Infinity War, because his hammer 'Mjolnir' has been destroyed, Thor ventures to Nidavellir with Rocket and Groot to forge a weapon capable of defeating Thanos. Using his almighty strength, Thor reopens the cage housing the star's heat which is needed to melt the 'Uru' for the axe head. As Thor holds the cage open the Dwarf King Eitri pours the melted 'Uru' into a mould. When a handle is needed for the axe head, Groot quickly entwines his branch arm around the axe head completing the almighty weapon. Now armed with the most powerful weapon of Asgard, Thor uses 'Stormbreaker' in the Battle of Wakanda in Avengers: Infinity War, and five years later during the final battle against Thanos in Avengers: Endgame.

This resin/rubber version was used by 'Thor' during running sequences, and sometimes in still shots as an alternative to the heavier aluminium versions most used for promotional/close-up shots. Designed and made via a complex and collaborative process which took approx. 5 months in total, Marvel Studios creatives drew inspiration for the prop from the original 1960's Marvel comic books, whilst focusing on developing an expert level of modernisation, so as to create an innovative new look for this iconic Marvel Studios prop. Once designed, several cardboard cut-outs were created for testing - all in various sizes. When decided on a rough size, a scale model of the axe was then created via CAD and 3D printers, which was again tested, until a final version which was the right size and weight was determined.

Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019) were both directed by Joe and Anthony Russo. Avengers: Infinity War was nominated for the 'Special Visual Effects' category at the EE British Academy Film Awards and the Academy Awards® in 2019. After its release Endgame grossed nearly $2.8 billion worldwide, surpassing Avengers: Infinity War's entire theatrical run in just eleven days and breaking numerous box office records, including becoming the highest-grossing film of all time. It too was also nominated for 'Special Visual Effects' at the EE British Academy Film Awards and the Academy Awards® in February 2020.

Provenance:
Kindly donated by Marvel Studios to BAFTA for this sale, proceeds of which will go towards the Illuminating BAFTA campaign, expanding BAFTA's learning and new talent programme.