A landmark piece of cinematic history is about to go under the hammer. Later this month, Sotheby’s will auction the original animatronic model of E.T. from Steven Spielberg’s 1982 sci-fi classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Crafted by Oscar-winning Italian special effects artist Carlo Rambaldi, this extraordinary artifact is expected to sell for between $600,000 – $900,000 USD.
Standing just over three feet tall, the E.T. model was designed and developed in 1981, playing a pivotal role in bringing the beloved alien to life. Most notably, it appeared in the famous closet scene, where E.T. attempts to blend in among stuffed animals.
Also featured in the auction is a collection of Rambaldi’s groundbreaking creations, including two screen-used sandworm models from Dune (1984), estimated at $15,000 – $20,000 USD and a baby dinosaur animatronic from the 1993 Japanese film Rex: A Dinosaur’s Story. Additionally, items from Blade Runner, Total Recall, Labyrinth, Jurassic Park and other iconic films will be available.
Running from March 29 to April 3, the auction presents a rare opportunity for collectors and film enthusiasts to own a tangible piece of cinematic magic.
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