2014
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Guardians of the Galaxy
DIRECTOR: James Gunn
COSTUME DESIGN: Alexandra Byrne
COSTUME SUPERVISOR: Dan Grace
HEAD OF VISUAL DEVELOPMENT: Charlie Wen
The Star-Lord mask from Guardians of the Galaxy is up there with some of the most famous pieces FBFX has made. Its creation marked the beginning of 3D scanning at FBFX, with Chris Pratt the very first star to step into the company’s earliest photogrammetry rig back in 2013.
The mask wasn’t the only piece FBFX contributed to James Gunn’s genre-defining 2014 film, also manufacturing the Nova Corps' high-tech helmets and body armour, armour for Kree warrior Korath and costume parts for Nebula.
To make the Star-Lord mask, we first 3D scanned actor Chris Pratt and then meticulously digitally remodelled the helmet, based on a design by Charlie Wen, for a perfect fit. Inside, small hidden fans were included for ventilation, as well as a clever system of lenses that allowed us to light up the mask's red eyes without affecting vision. The helmet itself was made using a vacuum casting: tough, lightweight and very detailed.
For Korath (played by Djimon Hounsou), we made armour with a complex pattern of overlapping and underlapping surfaces, as though manufactured using alien technology. This armour was 3D modelled and the parts 3D printed. Usually, we’d then mould the part but due to the costume’s complex geometry, it was decided to use 3D prints in the final armour.
However, 3D prints are rarely robust enough for an action movie! To make sure they were tough enough, the armour was coated with a very strong layer of real copper, then electro-plated and art finished to create the final colour.
By contrast, the helmets for the Nova Corps were traditionally sculpted in clay then refined by our model makers before being cast out in a strong polyurethane material. The Nova Corps body armour was carefully reproduced, cast out in combinations of rigid and flexible urethane, making them suitable for stunt sequences. The breast plate of each Nova Corps soldier featured remotely controlled LED lighting.
We also sculpted and moulded the crustation-like, organic armour for the insectoid Sakaaran soldiers.
With wonderful costume designer Alexandra Byrne and costume supervisor Dan Grace heading up the team, these were terrific projects to take on!
Watch trailer here.
