Disney parks chief shows off 'real life' lightsaber in the flesh

If you're a Star Wars fan, then today is your lucky day because a 'real life' lightsaber now exists.

Now, we know what you're thinking, versions of the famous weapon have existed for years, but this one is different and is as close to the real thing as you can get.

The weapon was just unveiled by the Disney parks chief, Chairman Josh D’Amaro, at SXSW this weekend, who said people 'dream of things like this' in front of a visibly astounded audience.

He then showed the lightsaber in action, and let's just say that we've never seen anything like it since we watched Star Wars for the first time - no wonder the audience gasped.

"I have the coolest job in the world," D'Amaro admitted, showing off the blue weapon. "I'm holding a real lightsaber."

In the footage of the unveiling, he can be seen pressing a button before the lightsaber appears, looking as luminous and deadly as the real thing.

He then introduced Leslie Evans, who runs R&D for Disney Imagineering, and she explained how they were able to bring the weapon to life.

"This was a hard project. This was not easy," she said, before adding that its ultimate aim was to 'build film moments in the real world'.

Clearly completely enthralled by the lightsaber, D'Amaro added: "I love firing this thing up."

Twitter / @Ivan_Costa

So, how exactly does the lightsaber work? Well, it's not entirely clear yet, but one fan appears to have a pretty interesting suggestion.

It was revealed in response to the unveiling, and it's a Google patents page that explains how the special effects work.

The page reads: "The special effects device includes two long plastic cylinders that are cut lengthwise. These two pieces (or blade body members) are then each rolled perpendicular to their length (or their central axis), which creates compact cylinders of material of relatively small volume that can be provided on a pair of spools or reels.

"The spools holding the blade body members, along with other blade-producing elements, are housed within the body of the hilt assembly of the special effects device or lightsaber prop."

The Disney parks chief then took the opportunity at the panel, which was called 'Creating Happiness: The Art & Science of Disney Parks Storytelling', to stress that the parks were committed to innovation.

Twitter / @DisneyFoodBlog

"We're humbled by the fact that millions of people choose Disney as their vacation destination every year to escape into our beloved stories," he said.

"To our guests around the world, I want to tell you that we've only just begun... We want to invent the future once again - together - drawing on a range of voices and perspectives that will help us continue to create even more happiness around the world."

UNILAD has reached out to Disney for further comment.