Meet James Azrael: Inside the collection
See Spider-Man, Judge Dredd, Terminator, Spaceballs and Robocop costumes, as well as some horror icons!
Apr. 19, 2020
As movie costume collector James Azrael puts it, “movies define us.” To him, movies serve as markers in time, tracking milestones in one’s life. But collecting costumes and props is about more than just the personal connection for James; it’s also a way of preserving history. He considers himself the keeper of these iconic costumes for a moment in time, and he and his friend Brad have restored many of the items to their original condition.
James’ collection boasts identifiable costumes from films like Robocop, Little Shop of Horrors, The Terminator, Friday the 13th and countless more. James and Brad are joined today by friend, appraiser and fellow movie costume collector Mark, who often helps James track down highly sought-after items.
Mark has brought along an item in hopes of making a trade… but James has never traded or sold one of his costumes or props.
1. Japanese Spider-Man costume
This Spider-Man suit comes from a movie that never was — a 1986 production that Cannon Films hoped to get off the ground — and never did.
2. Spider-Man costume logo
Children of the 1970s will remember the Japanese Spider-Man television show produced by Toei.
3. Spider-Man costume eye
Fun fact: Tom Cruise was "eyed" to play Spider-Man in that failed 1986 film! This costume, which was used in a poster to sell the film, is now worth $10,000.
4. Terminator 2 T-1000 costume
Robert Patrick wore this in the iconic mental hospital scene of Terminator 2: Judgement Day, as the liquid-metal baddie took shots to the chest as he raced towards an elevator.
5. T-1000 close-up
Here's a close look at how they pulled off the "liquid-metal" bullet holes. This costume is also worth about $10,000.
6. Little Shop of Horrors leather jacket
Steve Martin's twisted dentist character sported this motorcycle jacket in the Eighties musical. Behind it, you can spot the rhino costume from Danny DeVito's Death to Smoochy.
7. John Candy's Spaceballs head
Candy played the Chewbacca spoof Barf, a "Mog," half-man half-dog, in the Mel Brooks classic.
8. Barf foot and tail
This prop foot was used when John Candy's character had his toes smashed by a giant creature in Spaceballs.
9. Jason Voorhees machete
For safety reasons, many of the machete props used in Friday the 13th films are foam, resin or plastic. This one, however, is heavy metal. Kane Hodder used it in Friday the 13th Part VII.
10. Robocop gun
This prop gun was used for a specific stunt in Robocop 2, when the hero's hand is shot off.
11. Michael Myers mask
Here is a mask used in one of the Halloween films. As Trekkies know, the original was made from a Captain Kirk mask.
12. Critters monster
This little beast is from the cult horror franchise Critters, which kicked off in 1986.
13. Silver Surfer costume
Not all of it was CGI! Doug Jones sported this shiny Silver Surfer costume when he played the cosmic Marvel hero in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
14. Bill & Ted costumes
Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves wore these custom-made clothes in Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey.
15. Judge Dredd helmet
Sylvester Stallone's stunt double wore this in the 1995 movie. James owns it — but would he trade it for…
16. Silent Hill Pyramid Head
Our appraiser has a whopper of a trade to make. This massive headpiece was worn by the villain in the horror film Silent Hill.
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