There's something deeply appealing about mysterious masked characters in Star Wars that I can't quite put my finger on. Maybe it's the mystery? Or perhaps it's just the "cool" factor. Either way, the Jedi Temple Guards from The Clone Wars and Rebels fit that bill – and we can finally get a replica of their iconic helmets this May 4th.
GamesRadar+ can exclusively reveal this collectible ahead of its release for Star Wars day, AKA May 4th, and it's a beauty. Actually, I've been hands-on with the display piece behind closed doors at Disney's London HQ so can attest to that on a personal level. Besides recreating the design perfectly to go on your shelf, the Jedi Temple Guard mask is a wearable prop that can be added to your latest cosplay or just shown off on a fancy themed stand. Much like the Black Series replicas (which are arguably some of the best Star Wars toys around), this is big on detail and doesn't feel like a cheap tie-in.
The thing that struck me about this one is how light it is. Upon lifting it from the stand, I was initially worried it'd feel "plastic-y" – but it has a sturdiness to it I wasn't expecting. It's also far more comfortable to wear than almost any other Star Wars replica helmet I've tried in the past. It doesn't sit awkwardly or flop about on your head; it sits flush and feels a lot more natural than these things sometimes do. I actually wouldn't mind wearing this around a con all day, which isn't always the case.
The thing I liked most isn't really visible in photos, though. This mask has a near-pearlescent sheen to it that helps it avoid looking "flat" in terms of texture. That's befitting the elite Jedi Temple Guard, as is the metallic stand that looks suitably in-universe.
In other words, it's a great addition to any collection for fans of The Clone Wars, Rebels, or neat Star Wars memorabilia. While I don't think it's going to topple the Black Series Darth Vader Helmet from its position as the coolest replica around (I'm still desperate to add that to my collection some day), it's a great collectible at a more reasonable price than I'd anticipated.
What do you think of the Jedi Temple Guard mask? Are you going to add it to your collection on May 4th, or are you holding out for something else? Like a certain lightsaber you may have spotted in the photo above...? (Yep, that's a new replica Jedi Temple Guard lightsaber.) Let us know in the comments.
For more cool collectibles, why not check out the best toys or the best Lego sets? There's plenty from a galaxy far, far away in both guides.
