Steven Spielberg Recalls “Hard-Fought Victory” to Stop ‘E.T.’ Sequel: “I Didn’t Have Any Rights”

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Steven Spielberg explains that his attempts to halt a sequel for “E.T. the Extraterrestrial” led him to secure the rights to freeze any future projects of his.

The director who won an Oscar for his work reminisced about not creating a sequel to his 1982 fan-favorite film, stating unequivocally that he has no plans to do so in the future, as he conversed with the film’s star Drew Barrymore during a discussion at the TCM Classic Film Festival: New York Pop-Up event hosted by 92NY on Saturday night.

He shared with the crowd that the victory was truly earned through tough battles as he initially held very limited rights. Although some rights were granted to him prior to ‘E.T.’, they were not extensive. Specifically, he did not possess what is known as a ‘freeze’, which allows artists to halt production of sequels, remakes, or other derivative works based on their intellectual property. He only gained this control after the success of ‘E.T.’.

In 1982, Steven Spielberg‘s science fiction family adventure movie, featuring Barrymore, Henry Thomas, Robert MacNaughton, Dee Wallace, and Peter Coyote, became the top-grossing film of the year. It also won four Oscars and was the first movie to earn over $300 million at the U.S. box office. However, this record was later surpassed by another Spielberg film, Jurassic Park, in the 1990s.

Speaking about his reluctance to create another movie, Spielberg explained, “I wasn’t keen on making a sequel. For a brief moment, I toyed with the idea – just a small one – to see if I could come up with a story. The only concept I could conjure was based on a book written by the author who penned the original book, titled The Green Planet. This story would have taken place at E.T.’s home, offering us a glimpse into his daily life. However, I believe it would have worked better as a novel rather than a film.

The director, comfortably settled in the Geffen Stage at the 92Y’s Kaufman Concert Hall, stated, “I have absolutely no plans to watch E.T. anywhere other than within these theater walls.

During the production and release of the film, Drew Barrymore, who was around six to seven years old at the time, also recalled a discussion with Steven Spielberg about not creating a sequel to “E.T.”. She recounted him saying, “We are not making a sequel to ‘E.T.'”, which she believes she heard when she was eight. She recalls thinking, “That’s too bad, but I get it” at the time. “I thought it was a wise decision,” she said. “I completely understand it. Where would we go from there? They’d only be comparing it to the original and potentially tarnishing something that’s perfect and untouched by scrutiny.” It made perfect sense to her.

2023 saw the cast members contemplating the possibility of a follow-up during an appearance on Barrymore’s daytime talk show. Notably, lead actor Thomas mentioned that they had discussed a sequel back in the early ’80s due to its initial success, and he suggested that Universal Pictures might have wanted a second installment. However, he expressed difficulty envisioning a sequel without the late writer Melissa Mathison, who was instrumental in crafting the original script. In simpler terms, they talked about making another movie because of the first one’s success, but it’s tough to imagine doing so without Melissa Mathison, who wrote the original script and has since passed away.

During a spirited 30-minute panel discussion, hosted by TCM’s Dave Karger, Steven Spielberg and Drew Barrymore reminisced about the unmade sequel to E.T., as well as other topics. This talk was originally scheduled as a conversation with Meryl Streep, timed for the 30th anniversary of Out of Africa, but had to be canceled due to the Los Angeles wildfires. The dialogue was both emotional and enlightening, with Spielberg admitting that it’s been a long time since he and Barrymore have done an interview about E.T., especially since the film ended.

Barrymore emphasized that we’re fortunate to be near and regular in our interactions. It’s crucial to preserve the relationships that hold significant value for you, she said, adding they often communicate frequently. She joked about her habit of constant texting and bothering, but found it enjoyable. Nowadays, staying connected is simpler than ever, she pointed out, and she enjoys being there for people. You’ve taught her the importance of showing up in life.

During the discussion, Spielberg shared insights about recruiting Barrymore for the project when she was young. He described Gertie as the “most straightforward character to fill,” stating that her hiring was swift following her audition where she questioned him intensely before discussing her aspirations to form a punk band called The Purple People Eaters. Recalling the event, Spielberg said, “Kathleen Kennedy and I just listened in amazement, and with ‘The Purple People Eater,’ she essentially secured the role.

They too brought up Barrymore’s well-known “scream test,” as the actress joyfully shared her experience. She reminisced, “I was thrilled because it seemed I had caused a minor issue with the equipment, and so I said, ‘Thank you.’ I thought if my audio could shatter something, I might be performing well.

As a gamer, I can relate when a developer creates an unexpected gem that feels personal rather than commercial. Just like how Steven Spielberg felt after directing “Back to the Future,” I too found myself with a unique opportunity to unwind and immerse myself in a story without any pressure or high expectations. I was making a game that catered to younger audiences, not worrying about box office numbers or pleasing critics. It was more about getting this creative endeavor off my chest and out into the world, even if it didn’t resonate with everyone else. It was a labor of love, purely for me and my own enjoyment.

E.T. represented a personal tale that Spielberg could claim as his own within his expanding body of work. “It was my story,” he declared. “It wasn’t George Lucas’s story, nor Peter Benchley’s story; it was mine. After tackling several challenging productions, I hadn’t planned for this to be a difficult film to create, but it became something that resonated deeply within me.”

Barrymore often found herself reminiscing about her vivid memories from the set, particularly her spontaneous exchanges with E.T., some of which were preserved in behind-the-scenes 35mm footage. Similarly, much like Spielberg who has watched E.T. more than any other film and shared it with his seven children and six grandchildren, she enjoyed revisiting the movie with her two daughters.

Barrymore expressed that instead of making her kids watch her films out of obligation, she preferred a more organic approach. When they eventually did discover them on their own, they affectionately labeled them as ‘Mom movies’. Her children have since watched titles like E.T., Ever After, The Wedding Singer, and Charlie’s Angels.

However, it’s her involvement in the movie “E.T.” that seems most meaningful, primarily because it was a transformative event in her life. As she put it, “I’ve never felt compelled to make others feel the same, but for me, E.T. is the project I’m most proud of as it transformed my life. There’s no doubt about that. My entire life revolves around the belief one human being had in me, and this is the life I strive to uphold every day.

For Spielberg, the experience of filming the movie and collaborating with Barrymore was equally significant. He shared that before making E.T., he merely made movies, his life consumed by simply storytelling. However, working on E.T. sparked in him a desire to become a father – something he had never contemplated until then.

Barrymore teased, “You don’t know how relieved I am that I didn’t ruin that for you.”

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2025-01-26 20:58