In the vast universe of collectible movie prop memorabilia, there are many replicas fans would love to own: the classic Batarang, Harry Potter’s wand, the Jewel of the Ocean from Titanic. Hell, I’d pay generous amounts of money I don’t have for a functioning proton pack. But for many, there is a Holy Grail of nerdy replicas, and Warner Bros. is finally making it a reality — a very, very expensive reality.
The studio has announced a limited run of fully functioning, entirely not street legal recreations of the iconic Tumbler Batmobile from Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy to mark Batman’s 85th anniversary. Releasing through its Wayne Enterprises Experience ultra-luxury fan retail wing, the WB will sell 10 Tumblers priced at $2,990,000 each, giving the ultra wealthy a chance to live out their Bat-fantasies. (Because surely millionaires need more right now…)
According to the Wayne Enterprises Experience website, the vehicles will measure 15 feet 3 inches long, 9 feet 3 inches wide, and weigh approximately 5,511 pounds. The two-seater rides will pack a 6.2-liter, 525-horsepower engine delivering 486 foot-pounds of torque. Plus, they’ll be decked out with a smoke screen deliver system, imitation gun turrets, and “jet engine simulation” (noting that there will be “no flames”), all encased in a body of kevlar, carbon fiber, and sheet metal fiberglass. And yes, it comes in black.
With none of the standard safety features that would make this thing actually legal to drive (save for a 5-point racing car seat harnesses), these replica Batmobiles aren’t meant for the road. Though, let’s be honest, how many of us don’t expect at least one of the Richie Riches who buy one of these to try retrofitting it with proper gear and functional weapons?
Hopefully, WB and WEE can weed out the nefarious purchasers and stick to do-gooders through their application process. Interested buyers are invited to submit applications, and those selected will be given the opportunity to put down a deposit. Each Tumbler will then take approximately 15 month to construct and deliver.
Nolan’s version of the Batmobile, driven by Christian Bale’s take on Bruce Wayne/Batman, debuted in 2005’s Batman Begins. Unlike the classic vehicle’s sleek design and trademark batwing tailfins, the Tumbler was a rugged, “grounded” version, originally designed as a military bridging vehicle before being repurposed for Batman’s crusade for justice. Four Tumblers were built for Batman Begins, each at the relatively modest price of $250,000. The Batpod, a motorcycle that separated out from the body of the Tumbler, was introduced in The Dark Knight, but apparently even the Wayne Enterprise Experience has its limits on excess.
