The animatronic of ET: The Alien is being auctioned for up to $3 million, despite his hideous appearance. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the 1982 family sci-fi film was a bona fide blockbuster and became the highest-grossing film at the time of its release. The successful film also received critical acclaim and even won four Academy Awards, including Best Original Score for composing by John Williams. Since its release, ET has become a cultural sensation and continues to be loved by viewers through the generations for its nostalgia, moving story, cinematography and score.
Starring Henry Thomas as Elliott and Drew Barrymore as his sister Gertie, the film follows Elliot as he discovers an alien called ET (voiced by Pat Welsh). The boy and the alien form a touching bond, with Elliot trying to help ET reconnect with his home planet as his health begins to decline. Later, the characters’ friendship is jeopardized when the government tries to experiment on ET. Elliot eventually rescues him from the lab and helps him reunite with his people. Through ET.’s impact on pop culture and considered one of the greatest films of all time, it was added to the United States National Film Registry in 1994. Based on the historical significance of the film, it is logical that viewers would like a piece of that history, evident from a new item up for auction.
Collector hype reports that an essential ET prop is the headliner of a new event, “Julien’s Auctions and TCM Present: Icons & Idols: Hollywood,” taking place December 17-18 this year in Beverly Hills and online. Included in the exhibit is the animatronic that brought the alien to life in the movie, officially known as “the E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Hero”#1” Mechatronic Movie Model “Actor”. the 1982 film. A feat of technical and practical effects, the animatronic allowed the doll to move and emote without the use of CGI. The item is valued at $2-3 million. See the animatronic in a video posted via YouTube by Darren Julien from Julien’s Auctions above:
While the animatronic is a rare piece of history responsible for breathing life into ET’s iconic character, it’s horrifying to watch without the doll audiences are used to seeing. The item looks fittingly like a skeleton, but its realistic eyes make it even more disturbing. Despite this revelation of what was happening beneath the surface, ET remains a beloved cultural ingredient, and some have questioned whether the alien will ever return for a sequel. There were plans for a sequel called ET II: Nightly Fearsas early as 1982. However, Spielberg ultimately decided against the idea, citing a desire to preserve the sanctity of the original film.
The film’s star Thomas revealed similar thoughts to Spielberg’s this year, though he said a sequel could be coming regardless. ET’s enduring popularity. Even if there’s never a sequel, ET celebrated over the years. in 2002, ET was re-released in celebration of the film’s 20th anniversary, with additional scenes, modified shots and visual effects, which led to divisiveness. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the film, which saw not only a 4K remaster of the film, but a book called ET the Alien: The Ultimate Visual Dictionary released in August, featuring a behind-the-scenes guide to the film. In addition, fans of ET can re-watch the classic movie about Peacock.
Source: Collector hype, Julien’s Auctions
