Weta replicates fan-designed weapon

The winner of the recent Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time weapon design competition has been announced, and the famed WETA Workshop will develop a model replica of the lucky winner's design.

Darrin Hurd of Christchurch provided the winning entry – the Fluttenator 300 – which was chosen by WETA's Brian Allgeier as the best of 200 entries. Hurd's weapon fires highly explosive 'butterfly' rounds at a rate of 60 butterflies per second.

"The Fluttenator 300 gives my spine the shivers," said Allgeier. "I have a particular dislike for butterflies, especially killer butterflies fired from a gun. This weapon is definitely unique and is strategic with a funny twist.

WETA Workshop is a highly respected special-effects workshop, and some of the team's work can be seen in such blockbuster films as The Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong and, most recently, Avatar.

"To have my design selected by Brian and made by the famous WETA Workshop is the ultimate chance of a life time, I can't wait to see what the end result will look like," said Hurd.