"Because he's holding a thermal detonator!" 
- C-3PO to Jabba the Hutt - Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
 
The thermal detonator is used by Princess Leia Organa, disguised as the bounty hunter Boushh, to convince Jabba the Hutt to negotiate a better price for captive Chewbacca.  While the device is never actually detonated in the movie, its explosive power must be quite impressive, as evidenced by the terrified reactions of the bystanders in Jabba's court.

The original filming prop was quite different from what was seen on-screen.  While it appeared to made of shiny metal in the film, the prop was actually constructed from two clear plastic hemispheres approximately 2 1/2 inches in diameter.  The hemispheres were coated with multiple layers of silver and bronze plating that was painted to give it a weathered appearance.

Our designers thought that it would be interesting to produce a pristine, chrome plated version of this prop that represents the thermal detonator as if it was brand new, before it acquired the weathered appearance typical of many gadgets seen in the Star Wars movies.  The chrome thermal detonator is not a true prop replica because the finish and presentation is quite different than the original prop as it appeared in Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.  However, it does reflect the design and feel of the original.

In order to give the replica the appropriate heft and durability one would expect of such a device, our designers decided to make the outer shells of the thermal detonator replica from die-cast metal rather than plastic like the original prop.  They also digitally transferred the original sound effects obtained from Skywalker Sound to a sound chip used inside the replica and duplicated the random flashing light patterns as seen on-screen.

We are proud of this unique interpretation of the thermal detonator.  We hope that you enjoy our alternate version of this unusual film prop.