January 27, 2025: Steven Spielberg recently opened up about his decision to prevent a sequel to his beloved 1982 film ET the Extra-Terrestrial, calling it a “hard-fought victory.”
During an event alongside ET star Drew Barrymore, Spielberg revealed that at the time of the film’s original release, he did not have the rights to stop a sequel from happening. He explained that he lacked what is known as the “freeze,” which would have given him control over any sequels, remakes, or other uses of the intellectual property (IP). He gained these rights after ET‘s success, but by then, he had already made up his mind to not revisit the story.
Spielberg shared that while he briefly considered the idea of a sequel, even flirting with a story idea based on the book The Green Planet, he ultimately felt that ET was best left as it was. He remarked that ET’s story was better suited to a novel than a potential film, emphasizing that he had no intention of seeing ET in any form beyond the original.
Barrymore, who portrayed Gertie in the film, echoed Spielberg’s sentiments, recalling how Spielberg had told her, “We are not making a sequel to ET.” She explained that while it was initially disappointing, she understood the decision and felt it was the right choice, as no sequel could live up to the perfection of the original film.
Although ET‘s massive success in the 1980s did spark discussions of a sequel, the passing of screenwriter Melissa Mathison in 2015 made it difficult to envision continuing the story without her input. Henry Thomas, who played Elliott, expressed similar thoughts, saying that it’s hard to imagine a sequel without Mathison’s involvement.
During the event, Spielberg also fondly recalled Barrymore’s audition, describing her character as “the easiest” to cast. He reminisced about Barrymore’s famous “scream test” for the role, which was so intense that it damaged the equipment — a moment Barrymore recalled with pride.
Reflecting on the profound impact ET had on their lives, Spielberg shared that making the film made him realize his desire to become a father, something he hadn’t considered before. For Barrymore, ET was a life-changing experience. She credited the film for teaching her the importance of being believed in, something she continues to honor every day.
ET the Extra-Terrestrial remains a timeless classic, with its themes of friendship, compassion, and belonging resonating with audiences across generations. The film won four Academy Awards and became the highest-grossing film of its time, cementing its place in cinema history.