Steven Spielberg Recalls ‘Hard-Fought Victory’ To Prevent An E.T. Sequel, But I Still Dig The Idea He ‘Flirted With’ Early On

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Discussing sequels and their necessity often sparks intriguing debates. As an enthusiast, when you appreciate something, naturally, you crave more content. However, nobody yearns for a mediocre sequel since it lacks depth and potential for a captivating storyline. Director Steven Spielberg considers his decision to avoid a sequel to his timeless masterpiece E.T. as a hard-earned triumph. Although I concur that not making one was wise, the concept he had in mind still sounded intriguing.

At the TCM Classic Film Festival’s New York Pop-Up x 92NY event, I shared a moment recalling a challenging period when I decided against making a sequel to one of my most beloved science fiction films, E.T. The Extra Terrestrial. Back then, I was not inclined towards the sequel, but rather against it. During that time, the decision to resist this project turned out to be a tough battle. As I looked back at the event through The Hollywood Reporter, I shared my thoughts:

[Inspirational and personal quote here]

The win was toughly earned as I initially had very limited rights over my work. Before the release of E.T., I possessed some rights, but they were quite restricted. I didn’t hold the veto power, often referred to as ‘the freeze,’ which allowed me to halt the studio from producing sequels, remakes, or other derivative works using the intellectual property. I lacked that control. However, I gained it following the success of E.T.

In 2023, discussions about a sequel arose as the movie’s cast appeared on Drew Barrymore’s daytime talk show. Interestingly, while Barrymore was just a child when it initially came up, the older cast members mentioned that there were plans for a sequel in the ’80s. Unfortunately, the sequel didn’t come to fruition. When asked about his stance on the sequel, Steven Spielberg shared this insight:

(This version maintains the original’s information and structure but aims to make it more conversational and engaging.)

Initially, the idea of crafting a sequel didn’t appeal to me. I toyed with the notion briefly to explore potential storylines, but the only concept that surfaced was a book titled “The Green Planet,” set in E.T.’s home. I envisioned readers joining us on an adventure to witness E.T.’s daily life. However, I believe it would have been more compelling as a novel rather than a movie. As for E.T., I see no future where he exists beyond this stage (the screen).

The sequel to “E.T.” has been discussed in the past, with actor Henry Thomas sharing insights about the idea. Back in the ’80s, discussions about a sequel were swiftly put to rest by Spielberg. Given that the original concept for “E.T.” was more sci-fi horror than the family-friendly film we know today, along with the fact that the ending was planned to be drastically different, it’s no wonder that the filmmaker opted to make this a standalone film.

In essence, the idea of a Green Planet movie is fascinating on paper. Being raised on timeless films like E.T. by Steven Spielberg, the thought of watching The Green Planet unfold on screen would have been exhilarating. If you’ve had the chance to experience the ride at Universal Studios based on the book The Green Planet, then you know what I mean – it was quite a thrill, especially for those who frequently visited Universal, as I did growing up in Orlando. However, despite my interest in the concept and fond memories of E.T., I concur that it would be best if E.T. remains as a standalone film.

Fortunately for us, even with all the modifications, Universal Studios Orlando continues to offer the classic E.T. Adventure. Consequently, we can still embark on our journey to The Green Planet via this ride. Additionally, you can purchase a copy of the book E.T.: The Book of The Green Planet by William Kotzwinkle on Amazon.

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2025-01-28 02:08