‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ model would earn $3 million at auction

The alien model of a 1982 film, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, is going on sale and is expected to reach $3 million at the upcoming ‘Icons and Idols: Hollywood’ auction organized by Julien’s Auctions and Turner Classic Movies (TCM).

The auction which is planned to be live on December 17 and December 18 in Beverly Hills, coincides with the film’s 40th anniversary year. The E.T. model was created by Italian special effects master Carlo Rambaldi and operated by 12 animators. 

The model predates the current CGI technology and effects, making it a mechatronic masterpiece featuring 85 points of movement including facial expressions, nose, mouth, eyes, lids movement, shoulders, neck, arms, hands, fingers, chest, and abdomen rotations. The movements were made using a combination of mechatronic cables, per the auction house.

The movie starred Henry Thomas and Drew Barrymore with the alien model. Barrymore during a recent reunion with her co-stars in the Drew Barrymore Show said that she believed the alien model was true in the E.T. film when she starred in the movie at seven years old.

Barrymore stated, “I really loved him in such a profound way. I would go and take lunch to him.”

So far, the film has grabbed four Academy Awards. The auction house will display other items for the sale including the original E.T. maquette model made for Spielberg to approve the E.T. design, which is estimated between $80,000 and $100,000.