Key Takeaways:
– Steven Spielberg’s iconic movie E.T. made almost $800 million with a budget of mere $10 million.
– Drew Barrymore, who starred in the film as a child, revealed that Spielberg has no plans for a sequel.
– Spielberg considers E.T. as a standalone masterpiece, which should be left untouched.
– Barrymore has shared a close relationship with Spielberg from the start of her career.
– E.T. is now available on multiple streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, a truly timeless movie directed by Steven Spielberg, was a phenomenal hit when it premiered in 1982. The alien-themed story which originally stemmed from Spielberg’s childhood imaginary friends, raked in an incredible $800 million from a modest budget of just $10 million. The film featured a young Drew Barrymore, and till today, it holds a special place in the hearts of its fans all around the world.
Spielberg Says No to E.T. Sequel
Despite the film’s success and a rather curious audience, Spielberg has conclusively decided against a sequel to E.T. Drew Barrymore, during her recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live on Andy Cohen, revealed Spielberg’s resolution. According to Barrymore, Spielberg strongly feels that the movie should remain untouched, believing it to be a standalone masterpiece that does not require a follow-up.
She throws light on Spielberg’s thought process, narrating an incident from her youth. When she was just seven, she spent a weekend at Spielberg’s house, who she rightfully considers as her godfather. During her stay, Spielberg expressed his philosophy towards his movies, insisting that he never wanted to produce sequels simply because he felt each of his works were complete in themselves.
The Director’s Change of Heart
Although Spielberg has adapted more to the idea of sequels over time, reflecting in franchises like Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones, the concept seems irrelevant when it comes to E.T. Barrymore indicated that Spielberg remains staunch in his viewpoint that E.T. is best appreciated as a one-time classic, rather than diluting its impact with sequels.
The Bond Between Barrymore and Spielberg
Hollywood’s darl, Drew Barrymore, who was introduced to the world of acting quite early through Altered State in 1980, had a unstable family life. Spielberg became her sole ‘parent figure’. When she asked Spielberg to become her father at the age of seven, it left him astonished. Though he declined, he did agree to be her godfather which fortified their bond.
As per Barrymore, Spielberg’s affectionate and patient demeanor towards her at that tender age led her to believe that he was a ‘million times nicer.’. Even today, she continues to respect Spielberg’s guidance and maintains a great rapport with the director, reflecting the special relationship they share which goes beyond their professional association.
After all, a movie that touched so many hearts deserves the deepest reverence, and who better than Spielberg himself to understand that? Therefore, it seems fans might just need to be content with the lone but wildly successful existence of E.T. in their favorite movie list, as the alien flick is currently streaming on multiple platforms such as Amazon Prime.
