Makinarium, a prop, costume, and set company known for its work on films such as Star Wars and Jurassic World, has launched Makinarium Studio Edition, a new venture focused on premium collectibles. The inaugural release is the T-800 Optics, an exclusive, limited-edition piece officially licensed from the 1984 film The Terminator and its sequel, Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
Lee Kirton, Chief Strategy Officer at Makinarium, stated that the company aimed to create a collectible with a significant "cool factor" that was also portable. The T-800 Optics is designed to be tactile, allowing collectors to handle and feel the metal construction. Jet Cooper, Creative Director at Makinarium, described the piece as resembling a damaged unit from the T-800 endoskeleton, complete with a display stand.
Each T-800 Optics collectible is hand-finished by the same crews that create props for major films and includes an embedded, secure NFC chip. This chip, powered by Fan Connect, allows owners to tap their smartphone to a unique digital portal, verifying authenticity and provenance through a digital certificate of ownership linked to the item's serial number. This system ensures that each of the 800 numbered pieces worldwide is unique.
Kirton emphasized the high-end nature of the collectible, comparing the experience to unboxing a luxury watch, and highlighted that the pieces are not mass-produced in a factory. Makinarium is part of the Victory Films Group, which comprises professionals who have contributed to numerous blockbuster productions.
Beyond collectibles, Makinarium is also involved in education through the Makinarium Academy, offering training in prop-making and film production techniques. The company also provides a free online space for individuals interested in the film industry to connect and share their work.
While specific details on future releases remain under wraps, Cooper hinted at upcoming projects for Studio Canal that will offer a new perspective on familiar cinematic worlds, aiming to honor the intellectual property involved. Pre-orders for the T-800 Optics are currently open on the Makinarium Studio Edition website.