sci-fi
ET model auctioned for more than $2.5 million
The head of the mechanical ET model is considered a technical masterpiece. photo
© -/Julien’s Auctions/dpa
The mechatronic original model for the legendary extraterrestrial ET is considered a technical masterpiece. Now it came under the hammer.
The ET model from Steven Spielberg’s 1982 sci-fi classic ET The Extra-Terrestrial fetched $2.56 million at an auction in California . This was announced by the auction house Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills.
The initial bid for designer Carlo Rambaldi’s original mechatronic model was $500,000. It was estimated to be worth between $2 million and $4 million. It was not announced who won the contract.
According to the catalog, the model has 85 movement points and is considered a technical masterpiece. The movement points could be used to control facial expressions, nose, eyes, mouth, eyelids, shoulders, arms, hands and fingers, among other things. ET was operated by twelve professional animators. The film tells the story of an alien who befriends a boy while stuck on earth. Henry Thomas and Drew Barrymore star in the lead roles.
Barrymore revealed on her eponymous show in October that she believed her alien co-star on ET was real when she saw him at the age of seven. “I really loved him deeply,” Barrymore was quoted as saying by People magazine. “I would bring him lunch.”