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The original animatronic model used in 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' to bring big-eyed alien E.T. to life has snagged a staggering sum at the recent Julien's Auctions and TCM Presents: Icons and Idols Hollywood auction. According to the auction house, the mechanical model was sold for a whopping $2.5 million.&nbsp;And, bidding for the iconic creation of Italian special effects master Carlo Rambaldi had opened at $500,000.

The item, which was sold as part of a two-day mega-sale that included over 1,300 props ranging from Chris Hemsworth's Thor hammer to Robert DeNiro's Raging Bull boxing gloves, is regarded as an engineering masterpiece.

The filming model was operated by 12 professional animators and its&nbsp;movements, including facial expressions, nose, eyes, mouth, lids movement, neck movement, shoulders, arms, hands, fingers, chest and abdomen rotations, were controlled by&nbsp;a combination of cables connected to electronic apparatus and mechanical elements.

"Pre-dating modern CGI technology and effects, this one-of-a-kind cinematographic relic (constructed in 1981) features 85 points of movement and is regarded as an engineering masterpiece," the description of the model reads.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Sold for $2,560,000. The original, first mechatronic E.T. from the production of the iconic film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. 
 
Sold in Julien's Auctions and TCM present "Icons and Idols: Hollywood" Saturday and Sunday in Beverly Hills and online at <a href="https://t.co/tzS6JKLi4p">https://t.co/tzS6JKLi4p</a>. <a href="https://t.co/0BUH8VjC7a">pic.twitter.com/0BUH8VjC7a</a>
— Julien's Auctions (@JuliensAuctions) <a href="https://twitter.com/JuliensAuctions/status/1604587651922661376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-tom-cruise-jumps-off-a-plane-while-filming-mission-impossible-%E2%80%93-dead-reckoning--video-544425">Tom Cruise jumps off a plane while filming 'Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning' | Video</a>

The 1982 Steven Spielberg-helmed film starred Henry Thomas and Drew Barrymore. The film was about an alien who befriends a boy while being stuck on Earth. It received critical acclaim and was the top box office film of that year.

A maquette of E.T. was also sold at the auction for $125,000. Meanwhile, one of the bikes used in the film's climatic getaway scene was sold for $115,000.

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The original animatronic model used in 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' to bring big-eyed alien E.T. to life has snagged a staggering sum at the recent Julien's Auctions and TCM Presents: Icons and Idols Hollywood auction.

The original animatronic model used in 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' to bring big-eyed alien E.T. to life has snagged a staggering sum at the recent Julien's Auctions and TCM Presents: Icons and Idols Hollywood auction. According to the auction house, the mechanical model was sold for a whopping $2.5 million. And, bidding for the iconic creation of Italian special effects master Carlo Rambaldi had opened at $500,000. The item, which was sold as part of a two-day mega-sale that included over 1,300 props ranging from Chris Hemsworth's Thor hammer to Robert DeNiro's Raging Bull boxing gloves, is regarded as an engineering masterpiece. The filming model was operated by 12 professional animators and its movements, including facial expressions, nose, eyes, mouth, lids movement, neck movement, shoulders, arms, hands, fingers, chest and abdomen rotations, were controlled by a combination of cables connected to electronic apparatus and mechanical elements. "Pre-dating modern CGI technology and effects, this one-of-a-kind cinematographic relic (constructed in 1981) features 85 points of movement and is regarded as an engineering masterpiece," the description of the model reads. Sold for $2,560,000. The original, first mechatronic E.T. from the production of the iconic film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Sold in Julien's Auctions and TCM present "Icons and Idols: Hollywood" Saturday and Sunday in Beverly Hills and online at https://t.co/tzS6JKLi4p. pic.twitter.com/0BUH8VjC7a — Julien's Auctions (@JuliensAuctions) December 18, 2022 Also read: Tom Cruise jumps off a plane while filming 'Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning' | Video The 1982 Steven Spielberg-helmed film starred Henry Thomas and Drew Barrymore. The film was about an alien who befriends a boy while being stuck on Earth. It received critical acclaim and was the top box office film of that year. A maquette of E.T. was also sold at the auction for $125,000. Meanwhile, one of the bikes used in the film's climatic getaway scene was sold for $115,000. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Steven Spielberg's original 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' model auctioned for whopping $2.5 million

Mike Fenton, the legendary casting director who worked on the `Back to the Future` franchise, `E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,` `Raiders of the Lost Ark` and scores of other classic movies and TV shows, has died. He was 85.

According to Variety, Fenton co-founded what is now known as Casting Society of America in 1982. He was a prominent casting director for more than 40 years, with a mile-long resume that stretched from `The Andy Griffith Show` and `That Girl` to `Chinatown,` `American Graffiti,` `The Godfather II,` `Blade Runner,` `A Christmas Story,` `Norma Rae,` `Footloose,` `Honeymoon in Vegas` and `Chaplin.`

Steven Spielberg said in a statement, "Working with Mike Fenton was like working in a candy store - he made casting a blast. His fervent support of actors was the stuff of legend, and after landing a part, any actor`s smile was rarely as wide as Mike`s. He didn`t just support actors, he launched crusades.""And he was a pretty good actor himself, as he would always read off-camera dialogue to create energy and mojo for the person reading for the part. Much like the actors for whom he advocated, Mike loved his role - and those around him loved him so much, and I will miss him dearly."

Casting Society of America co-presidents Russell Boast and Rich Mento hailed the organization`s co-founder as a leader in the industry who advanced the standing of casting as a discipline."Casting Society of America is saddened about the death of co-founder Mike Fenton. His remarkable accomplishments and his incredible work in elevating the awareness and appreciation of the craft of casting defines his legacy in the entertainment industry. CSA extends its love and support to his cherished family and friends," Boast and Mento said in a statement. 
 
As per Variety, Spielberg noted that Fenton was particularly helpful when he was feeling indecisive about a key role. Spielberg said, "Mike helped me get over every moment of indecision when I had three good options and couldn`t choose. He was as responsible for some actors getting their big breaks in my films as me."His long list of notable projects included feature films `To End All Wars,` `Dante`s Peak,` `Congo,` `Blown Away,` `Not Without My Daughter,` `Total Recall,` `Bird on a Wire,` `Turner &amp; Hooch,` `Beaches,` `Short Circuit,` `Turk 182,` `History of the World: Part I,` `Thank God It`s Friday,` `The Deep,` `The Last Tycoon,` `The Bad News Bears,` `Shampoo,` `Young Frankenstein` and `Dillinger.`

Variety reported that the other TV credits included `Gomer Pyle USMC,` `The Courtship of Eddie`s Father,` `Square Pegs,` `The Paper Chase` and Spielberg`s 1985-86 NBC rendition of `Amazing Stories.`As busy as Fenton was, he had time for extracurricular pursuits. In the 1980s he founded the Flying Squirrels, a running club. The group grew to as many as 40 people who would meet Saturday mornings at the corner of San Vicente Boulevard and Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica for a run followed by a breakfast outing, Marshall recalled. Fenton`s survivors include his wife, Irene; a son, Mick, from his first marriage to Janet Monfort.&nbsp;

Mike Fenton, the legendary casting director who worked on the `Back to the Future` franchise, `E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,` `Raiders of the Lost Ark` and scores of other classic movies and TV shows, has died.

Mike Fenton, the legendary casting director who worked on the `Back to the Future` franchise, `E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,` `Raiders of the Lost Ark` and scores of other classic movies and TV shows, has died. He was 85. According to Variety, Fenton co-founded what is now known as Casting Society of America in 1982. He was a prominent casting director for more than 40 years, with a mile-long resume that stretched from `The Andy Griffith Show` and `That Girl` to `Chinatown,` `American Graffiti,` `The Godfather II,` `Blade Runner,` `A Christmas Story,` `Norma Rae,` `Footloose,` `Honeymoon in Vegas` and `Chaplin.` Steven Spielberg said in a statement, "Working with Mike Fenton was like working in a candy store - he made casting a blast. His fervent support of actors was the stuff of legend, and after landing a part, any actor`s smile was rarely as wide as Mike`s. He didn`t just support actors, he launched crusades.""And he was a pretty good actor himself, as he would always read off-camera dialogue to create energy and mojo for the person reading for the part. Much like the actors for whom he advocated, Mike loved his role - and those around him loved him so much, and I will miss him dearly." Casting Society of America co-presidents Russell Boast and Rich Mento hailed the organization`s co-founder as a leader in the industry who advanced the standing of casting as a discipline."Casting Society of America is saddened about the death of co-founder Mike Fenton. His remarkable accomplishments and his incredible work in elevating the awareness and appreciation of the craft of casting defines his legacy in the entertainment industry. CSA extends its love and support to his cherished family and friends," Boast and Mento said in a statement. As per Variety, Spielberg noted that Fenton was particularly helpful when he was feeling indecisive about a key role. Spielberg said, "Mike helped me get over every moment of indecision when I had three good options and couldn`t choose. He was as responsible for some actors getting their big breaks in my films as me."His long list of notable projects included feature films `To End All Wars,` `Dante`s Peak,` `Congo,` `Blown Away,` `Not Without My Daughter,` `Total Recall,` `Bird on a Wire,` `Turner & Hooch,` `Beaches,` `Short Circuit,` `Turk 182,` `History of the World: Part I,` `Thank God It`s Friday,` `The Deep,` `The Last Tycoon,` `The Bad News Bears,` `Shampoo,` `Young Frankenstein` and `Dillinger.` Variety reported that the other TV credits included `Gomer Pyle USMC,` `The Courtship of Eddie`s Father,` `Square Pegs,` `The Paper Chase` and Spielberg`s 1985-86 NBC rendition of `Amazing Stories.`As busy as Fenton was, he had time for extracurricular pursuits. In the 1980s he founded the Flying Squirrels, a running club. The group grew to as many as 40 people who would meet Saturday mornings at the corner of San Vicente Boulevard and Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica for a run followed by a breakfast outing, Marshall recalled. Fenton`s survivors include his wife, Irene; a son, Mick, from his first marriage to Janet Monfort.

Mike Fenton, famed casting director on 'Back To The Future', E.T., passes away

The Riviera resort of Cannes should have been playing host to the world's biggest names in film. Instead, with its annual film festival postponed and the red carpet rolled up, locals made do with a drive-in cinema in a beachfront car park.

Popcorn, palm trees and face masks: Cannes rolls out drive-in cinema