An Animatronic Model of E.T.’s Head Could Fetch $1 Million at Auction Next Month

Hollywood’s most famous extra-terrestrial is headed for the auction block again.

Julien’s Auctions is hosting a four-day “Hollywood Legends” in December, and one of the top lots is, an animatronic model of E.T.’s head that’s estimated to sell for as much as $1 million. The sale will take place in Beverly Hills, but you can also bid online from December 14 to 17. Over 1,000 props and memorabilia will be offered in the sale, including items from classic sci-fi, fantasy, and superhero movies including the Harry Potter and Batman franchises.

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The animatronic head comes to auction from the personal collection of the late Carlo Rambaldi, its acclaimed designer. As seen in Steven Spielberg’s 1982 film, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, the prop is capable of expressive movements like opening and closing its nostrils, as well as its eyes, and lips; its eyebrows, forehead, and tongue move via cables. Its pulsating veins also make it pretty life-like. In a statement, Rambaldi’s daughter says he found inspiration for E.T.’s blue eyes from their family cat, named Kikka.

Last December, the auction house offered the original character model of E.T. in its “Icons and Idols: Hollywood” sale. Rambaldi oversaw the mechatronic figure’s creation which includes an impressive 85 points of movement. It hammered down for $2.56 million, just above its $2 million low-sales estimate. The design won Rambaldi the 1983 Academy Award for best visual effects. He’d previously won a special award for his work on King Kong in 1977, and another best visual effects for Alien in 1980.

The alien’s design was brought to life by 12 professional operators, dubbed the 12 Souls of E.T. by director Steven Spielberg. “We all kind of regard him as a living breathing organism, he’s a real creature, I think for me, in my experience, he is the eighth wonder of the movie world,” Spielberg has been quoted as saying.

Other notable collector’s items to star in the Julien’s Auctions Hollywood Legends sale include Michael Keaton’s Batman costume from Batman Returns (est. $70,000), two robes from the Harry Potter franchise (est. $70,000), and the helmet Robert Downey Jr. wore as Iron Man in Captain America: Civil War (est. $40,000). Don’t miss out.

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