Making that significant leap from dressing up Fridays to full-blown fan built replica, Anthony Le’s War Machine suit is a sight to behold. Wired and Geektyrant have lots more photographs of this incredible costume, so do head over there in just a minute.

Anthony Le built his War Machine (based on Don Cheadle’s outfit in Iron Man 2) from high-impact urethane held together with around 1,500 rivets. The helmet is moulded from a clay and liquid resin. Miniature servos operate the faceplate and a rotary gun turret crafted from pipes; LEDs are imbedded in the chest plate. It took a month to construct and cost $4,000.

When not scaring his neighbours or seizing up in the bath, ‘Le Machine’ likes to travel to children’s hospitals, homeless shelters and fundraisers. Unsurprisingly he plans to be at Comic Con in San Diego. Le also constructed a Downey Jr. Iron Man suit, among others, so has plenty to show off.

While beautifully made, Le’s ‘unofficial’ outfit (i.e. not licensed by Marvel/Paramount Pictures) raises an important question as to who owns the likeness of War Machine, moreover this likeness of War Machine. Surely Iron Man 2’s costume designer Mary Zophres might have something to say? As will Marvel and Paramount. Although how much they tolerate as free publicity or just good-natured fandom is unknown.

Hollywood costume designer Kristin M. Burke discusses this subject on her blog FrockTalk. With homemade friendly Comic Con right around the corner, the likeness ownership issue is more prevalent than ever. It is a tricky one.

Source: Wired and Geektyrant

© 2010, Chris Laverty.

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