Steven Spielberg Reflects on the Challenging Battle to Prevent a Sequel to Sci-Fi Classic E.T.

Steven Spielberg almost found himself navigating the tricky waters of producing a sequel to E.T., but thankfully, he put up a strong fight to prevent that from happening.

Sequels often struggle to stand on their own merits. Now, exceptions exist, and occasionally a follow-up can surpass the original. But more often than not, films are better left untouched after they’ve made their initial impact. E.T. feels like one of those untouchable classics. Yet, there was a moment when a sequel was seriously on the table. Speaking during an event co-hosted by the TCM Classic Film Festival at New York’s 92NY, Spielberg shared, “It was a tough battle to ensure E.T. remained a standalone film because back then, I didn’t have much in the way of rights.” (Thanks to The Hollywood Reporter for sharing these insights!)

Before E.T. came along, Spielberg’s control over his projects was limited. He elaborated, “In those days, I had fewer rights. There was no safeguard that let me prevent the studio from moving ahead with sequels or remakes. I gained that control thanks to E.T.’s monumental success, but at the time, I just wasn’t interested in a sequel.”

Spielberg toyed with the idea briefly, looking for an angle that might work. The only concept that came to him was based on a book titled ‘The Green Planet,’ which focused on E.T.’s homeworld. “It would have explored E.T.’s life back on his planet, which I found more fitting as a book than a film,” he reflected.

Can you imagine the cinematic landscape if E.T. had a sequel? It might have altered Hollywood history as we know it. In retrospect, Spielberg’s decision was wise—particularly when you consider that E.T. once held the record as the highest-grossing film. The film’s legacy is undoubtedly more valuable as a single, perfect masterpiece.