Original 1982 ‘E.T.’ Model Goes Up for Auction

Later this month, the original alien model from the 1982 movie ‘E.T.’ will be auctioned off.  This renowned model, made by Italian effects artist Carlo Rambaldi, will be included in an upcoming sale of his artwork and personal belongings from a number of well-known movies, according to a statement from Sotheby’s Auction House.

 This model, who is slightly taller than three feet, appeared on screen in ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’, most famously in the scene where the extraterrestrial hides in the closet among stuffed animals.  This work of cinematic history, which was designed and constructed in 1981, is anticipated to fetch between $600,000 and $900,000. The ‘There Are Such Things: 20th Century Horror’, ‘Science Fiction’, and ‘Fantasy on Screen’ collections at Sotheby’s will be up for auction from 29th March to 3rd April.

Image Courtesy: Google Play

Other items from Rambaldi’s career will be up for auction in addition to the E.T. model.  A baby dinosaur animatronic from the 1993 Japanese film ‘Rex: A Dinosaur’s Story’, two screen-used sandworm models from David Lynch’s Dune for an estimated $15,000 to $20,000, original E.T. sketches, and artefacts from movies like ‘Blade Runner’, ‘Total Recall’, ‘Jurassic Park’, and ‘Labyrinth’ are among them.

‘E.T.’ is still regarded as one of Steven Spielberg’s most beloved movies almost forty years after it was first released.  Prior to being overtaken by ‘Jurassic Park’ in 1993, it was the highest-grossing movie ever and took home four Academy Awards, including Best Visual Effects and Best Original Score.  Globally, it generated close to $800 million.  Over the years, Spielberg has said that the plot was partially inspired by his parents’ divorce, with young Elliott’s attachment to ‘E.T.’ representing the urge to fill an emotional hole.

–Farheen Ali