Animatronic model of E.T. used in iconic 80s film to sell for £2.6million

THE animatronic model of E.T. used in the film is to sell for £2.6million.

The 3ft aluminium machine has 85 moving parts that 12 puppeteers manipulated to create movement.

BNPS

The animatronic model of E.T. used in the film is to sell for £2.6million[/caption]

BNPS

Creator Carlo Rambaldi’s daughter Daniela is selling the film relic along with a handful of other items from her father’s collection[/caption]

It was designed by special effects master Carlo Rambaldi — who also created the xenomorph from Alien.

Daughter Daniela inherited it and his blueprints after his death in 2012.

It will be sold by Julien’s Auctions in LA on December 18.

The automaton is the most complex and valuable of the four and was used for most of E.T.’s expressive facial shots.

Carlo Rambaldi only agreed to work for Spielberg on the condition that he could keep all of his creations and the model remained with him until his death in 2012.

It was then passed on to his daughter, Daniela.

She is selling the extraordinary artefact along with a handful of other items from her father’s collection worth around £2.8m.

An original 18ins high maquette of ET, made by Mr Rambaldi for Spielberg to approve the creature’s design, is also tipped to sell for over £90,000.

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The 3ft model was manipulated by 12 puppeteers and 85 parts to create movement[/caption]

And seven sheets of concept drawings detailing E.T.’s facial expressions, exact proportions, bodily structure and skeletal frame are worth £2,000 each.