Buzz
Audiences tune into television and films for a multitude of reasons. A surefire way to draw in viewers is by featuring a well-known celebrity. Yet, even in such scenarios, there are moments when the story, the actors, and the props become inseparable.
Picture Thor without Mjolnir or Spider-Man without his iconic suit. These films would lose their essence without the legendary props tied to their characters.
It's not just fans who grow attached to their beloved characters and the items they wield. Actors, too, often form deep connections with these props. Unlike ordinary viewers, these stars are in a unique position to take home the very items that helped define their roles—sometimes even bending the rules to do so.
Below, we explore 10 unforgettable props and the actors who couldn't resist keeping them.
10. Chris Hemsworth and Thor’s Legendary Hammers
Avengers: Infinity War has dominated the box office, earning over $2 billion in under two months. The third installment of the Avengers series unites stars from various Marvel films, with Chris Hemsworth reprising his role as Thor.
Hemsworth has publicly stated that fans stunned by the Infinity War cliffhanger will be even more astonished by Avengers 4, set to release in 2019. While his hints may or may not materialize, Hemsworth has himself been involved in some surprising antics.
The actor has taken multiple versions of Thor’s iconic hammers from movie sets. Instead of feeling guilty, Hemsworth admitted that revealing his prop-stealing habits has made it harder to continue, as the crew now keeps a close eye on him.
9. Gareth Edwards and the Stolen Death Star Plans
One of the most debated plot holes in Star Wars revolves around how effortlessly Luke Skywalker annihilates the Death Star in the original trilogy’s finale, Return of the Jedi. George Lucas originally attributed this to the Empire’s overconfidence, but the 2016 film Rogue One offers a fresh perspective, depicting the Rebels’ daring theft of the Death Star plans.
The fictional heist of the Death Star plans was paralleled by a real-life theft of the movie prop.
Gareth Edwards, the director of Rogue One and a devoted Star Wars enthusiast, took his passion to new heights. He secretly kept the prop of the plans delivered to Princess Leia during the film’s production.
8. Andrew Garfield and the Spider-Man Suit
A standout feature of every Spider-Man film is the signature red-and-black outfit. This legendary superhero attire has been a staple for over five decades, though directors often introduce fresh twists or updates to keep it relevant.
Marc Webb, the director of The Amazing Spider-Man 2, had specific ideas for the suit. He aimed to blend the traditional design of the classic Spider-Man costumes with a sleek, contemporary edge to make it truly stand out.
The task of creating the costume fell to Oscar-winning designer Deborah Lynn Scott. With an impressive portfolio including Avatar, Titanic, and Back to the Future, the project was in expert hands.
Scott crafted multiple costumes for the production, but one ended up in the possession of lead actor Andrew Garfield, seemingly by chance. Garfield hinted mysteriously that the suit might have taken up residence in either his luggage or his car.
7. Chris Pratt and the Guardians of the Galaxy Outfit
Guardians of the Galaxy premiered in 2014 and became an instant hit, surprising both audiences and critics. The movie earned nearly $100 million in its opening week, exceeded financial expectations by about 20 percent, and led to a sequel.
While stars like Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and Vin Diesel are major draws for the film, Pratt’s attire as Peter Quill/Star-Lord is also a key part of the movie’s charm.
Academy Award-winning costume designer Alexandra Byrne collaborated with multiple teams to craft Star-Lord’s unique style, blending elements of cowboy, biker, and rock star aesthetics.
Pratt confessed to taking his character’s jacket and other wardrobe pieces. To avoid being labeled a scoundrel, he explained that he wanted to wear the outfit while visiting children in hospitals as Star-Lord.
6. Hugh Bonneville and the Letter from Downton Abbey
Downton Abbey debuted in 2010 and swiftly became a cultural phenomenon. Set in early 20th-century England, the series contrasts the lives of wealthy aristocrats in a grand estate with their hardworking servants. Over its six-season run, Downton Abbey became PBS’s most-watched show and was referenced in popular culture, from Parks and Recreation to Iron Man 3.
Hugh Bonneville played a key role in the success of the British series through his performance as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham. While he believed the show concluded at the perfect time, Bonneville found it hard to part with a meticulously designed letter created by Downton Abbey’s art team.
Bonneville admitted to “rescuing” a letter in which Henry Talbot invites the earl and his family to a car race. He now keeps the stolen document in his downstairs bathroom.
5. Aaron Paul and the Gruesome Face from Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad is widely regarded as one of the greatest TV series ever. The show follows Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a chemistry teacher with cancer, who teams up with former student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) to produce methamphetamine.
Throughout the series, the duo faces the dangers of the criminal underworld, often resorting to extreme measures to eliminate threats. In the intense episode “Face Off,” they rig a bomb to a nursing home resident’s wheelchair, resulting in a shocking and gruesome outcome.
Paul took home the partially destroyed head prop and now displays it in his media room to startle unsuspecting visitors.
4. Star Trek: The Next Generation Uniforms
Few TV series have left as significant a mark on pop culture as Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG). The second installment in the Star Trek franchise is often considered one of the best, featuring iconic characters like Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), Will Riker (Jonathan Frakes), Counselor Deanna Troi (Mirina Sirtis), Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden), and the android Data (Brent Spiner).
On the final day of filming, Spiner requested one of the 17 uniforms he had worn over the years. Unfortunately, his request was turned down.
Feeling let down, Spiner left the set and joined his fellow cast members for dinner. To his surprise, he found out that Frakes and McFadden had walked off the set still wearing their uniforms to keep them as souvenirs.
The original Spandex uniforms, later replaced with wool gabardine versions, were infamous for being uncomfortably tight, prone to odors, and lacking flexibility. Despite this, several TNG cast members still have the chance to wear the redesigned uniforms.
3. Rupert Grint and the Harry Potter Dragon Egg
Whether discussing the books or the films, Harry Potter has become a cornerstone of pop culture. The movie adaptations have earned billions and captivated the imaginations of both young and old audiences.
Rupert Grint portrayed Ron Weasley in the cherished fantasy series. As a young actor, Grint’s skills in sneaking props might not have matched those of his more experienced peers, as shown by his failed attempt to take home an unauthorized memento.
Grint was captivated by a golden dragon egg with an embedded crystal and decided to sneak it out in a pillowcase. However, Warner Bros. quickly launched a thorough search for the missing prop. Grint returned it anonymously, having enjoyed his ill-gotten treasure for less than 13 hours.
2. Daniel Day-Lewis and His Method Acting Souvenirs
Daniel Day-Lewis holds the distinction of being the only actor to win three Academy Awards for Best Actor. His wins for My Left Foot, There Will Be Blood, and Lincoln are complemented by nominations for Gangs of New York, In the Name of the Father, and Phantom Thread.
Day-Lewis is renowned for his method acting, staying in character even when the cameras aren’t rolling. His habit of taking props while fully immersed in his roles has raised eyebrows on multiple occasions.
For instance, while portraying the ruthless Bill the Butcher in Gangs of New York, Day-Lewis frequently took home items ranging from prop knives to slates and apple boxes.
Day-Lewis also couldn’t resist taking a few souvenirs while playing the 16th president in Lincoln, though his reasoning for channeling Lincoln’s supposed thievery remains a mystery.
1. Ian McKellen and the Keys to Bilbo Baggins’s House
The Lord of the Rings trilogy vividly brought J.R.R. Tolkien’s books to the big screen, earning nearly $3 billion globally. The epic fantasy follows Frodo Baggins and his allies as they embark on a quest to destroy a malevolent magical ring, continuing the earlier adventures of his cousin, Bilbo Baggins.
If Ian McKellen had his way, Bilbo might have found it challenging to enter his own home.
McKellen, who portrayed the wizard Gandalf, carried on a long-standing tradition of taking props from his films. Along with Gandalf’s sword, he also made off with the keys to Bag End, Bilbo Baggins’s residence.
Director Peter Jackson knew the keys were missing but wasn’t aware of the thief’s identity. McKellen went to great lengths to keep his secret, ensuring his streak of taking souvenirs from every project remained intact.
