On day three of San Diego Comic-Con 2017, Marvel Studios prop master Russell Bobbitt hosted a panel to highlight some of work he's done over the past nine years in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Costume and prop design are obviously a major part of any feature film, particularly comic book movies. Fans who hold these characters near and dear to their hearts want to make sure everything looks great on screen, as the likes of the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy make the jump from the page to the big screen. It's an important job that the people of Marvel take very seriously, and most of their productions have entrusted Bobbitt with the task. His extensive résumé includes 10 MCU installments, including Avengers: Infinity War and its currently untitled sequel.
Marvel is set to have a key presence later today with a presentation in the famed Hall H, but they got the festivities started a little earlier by placing a spotlight on their props department and their unsung hero Bobbitt. He brought a number of screen-used props with him, such as two Captain America shields (one battle damaged rubber one and a heavier aluminum version). We were able to take a few photos, which we've assembled in the gallery below:
[vn_gallery name="Marvel Studios Props Comic-Con 2017 Panel" id="1023289"]
During the panel, Bobbitt shared some fascinating career anecdotes and factoids about the props. For instance, the average lifespan for a Captain America shield (of which more than 100 versions have been built) is three scenes. The rubber one on display was damaged beyond repair. Bobbitt also gets a chance to work directly with the actors while designing the props; Robert Downey, Jr. has had a say in the arc reactors, bouncing ideas off of Bobbitt during pre-production. It is a very detail-oriented job, and Bobbitt is supremely dedicated to his craft, always going the extra mile to fulfill the director's vision. One story he told revealed Star-Lord's famous Walkman was manufactured from scratch after the team was unable to find an actual one online (for a reasonable price).
The panel was a fun experience, and those in attendance were definitely appreciative of Bobbitt's hard work. When it comes to superhero movies, casting is arguably the most pertinent aspect, but one cannot understate the need to create convincing costumes and props that strike a balance between looking great onscreen and staying faithful to the comics. It's safe to say Bobbitt is one of the best at what he does, and it will be interesting to see what he comes up with as Marvel moves into its Phase 4 and beyond and continues to expand the roster of Earth's Mightiest.
Source: San Diego Comic-Con 2017
