Drew Barrymore and Steven Spielberg attend the TCM Classic Film Festival: New York Pop-Up x 92NY on Jan. 25 in New York City. Mike Coppola/Getty Images for TCM
Steven Spielberg recently shared how his determination to block a sequel to E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial shaped his career decisions regarding intellectual property rights. The acclaimed director spoke about the enduring legacy of the 1982 classic during a heartwarming conversation with Drew Barrymore at the TCM Classic Film Festival: New York Pop-Up event at 92NY.
Spielberg recounted the uphill battle to prevent a sequel, admitting he had little control over such decisions early in his career. “Before E.T., I had some rights, but not enough to stop studios from making sequels or remakes,” he told the audience. “It was after E.T.’s success that I secured what’s called ‘freeze rights,’ giving me the ability to block continuations of my films.”
The sci-fi masterpiece, starring Barrymore, Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace, and others, won four Oscars and became the highest-grossing film of its time, even surpassing $300 million at the U.S. box office. Its record held strong until another Spielberg blockbuster, Jurassic Park, dethroned it in the 1990s. Despite its monumental success, Spielberg was adamant about preserving E.T. as a standalone story.
Steven Spielberg and Drew Barrymore pose with E.T. in 1982. (Mark Sennet/Getty Images)
“I flirted with the idea of a sequel, but nothing felt right,” Spielberg admitted. He mentioned a book called The Green Planet, which explored E.T.’s home world, as a concept he considered. “It worked better as a novel than it ever would as a film. I just didn’t want to ruin something that felt complete.”
Barrymore, who was just six years old when she played Gertie in the film, recalled Spielberg’s unwavering stance against a sequel. “I remember you saying, ‘We are not making a sequel to E.T.,’” she shared. “Even at eight, I thought it was a smart choice. Where could we go from there without tarnishing something perfect?”
The pair reflected on their unique bond and the emotional impact of the film. Spielberg credited E.T. for inspiring him to become a father, a life-changing revelation he hadn’t anticipated before making the movie. “Up until then, I was just focused on storytelling. But E.T. made me want to be a dad,” he said.
Barrymore, meanwhile, highlighted the transformative effect the film had on her life. “E.T. is the project I’m most proud of because it changed my life,” she said. “It all started because one person believed in me, and I try to honor that every day.”
During the lively discussion, Spielberg reminisced about casting Barrymore. Her audition, complete with plans to start a punk band called The Purple People Eaters, left him and producer Kathleen Kennedy utterly charmed. “She essentially got the job right there,” Spielberg laughed.
The event, moderated by TCM host Dave Karger, offered a rare look into the making of E.T. and its legacy. Spielberg and Barrymore’s candid reflections revealed the depth of their connection and the profound influence the film has had on their lives.
For Spielberg, preserving the integrity of E.T. was as much about artistic vision as it was about personal growth. As he said, “It was my story, something from my heart, and I wanted to keep it that way.”
