An original model of the iconic alien E.T. from Steven Spielberg's classic film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was was just sold by Julien's Auctions at their recent "Icons and Idols: Hollywood" auction.

The mechatronic model featured 85 points of movement and helped the special effects artist on the film, Carlo Rambaldi, to win an Academy Award for visual effects in 1983.

Now the model is in the hands of some very happy and very wealthy super fan, who just purchased it for $2.56 million.

But can the mechatronic E.T. actually phone home? The auction page was unclear, but if so, he might really be worth the two and a half milli.

Carlo Rambaldi's maquette model of E.T. (pictured below) also sold for $125,000 at the auction.

According to the auction house, Steven Spielberg said of E.T.,

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.