Steven Spielberg had to put up a strong fight to prevent an E.T. sequel, and honestly, we should be grateful. Sequels that actually add value are few and far between. In rare instances, they even surpass the original. But more often than not, it’s better to leave a classic intact to preserve its magic. E.T. is a prime example of such a classic. Imagine my surprise when I learned there was once a possibility of a follow-up. Spielberg himself recounted at the TCM Classic Film Festival: New York Pop-Up x 92NY event that it was a tight battle to block that sequel. As he told The Hollywood Reporter, “I didn’t have any rights back then.”
Before E.T., Spielberg’s hold over his projects wasn’t as firm. He lacked what’s called the ‘freeze,’ which lets one halt the studio from churning out sequels or remakes. Fortunately, post-E.T.’s astounding success, he managed to secure those rights. Spielberg admitted, “I just did not want to make a sequel.”
He did entertain the idea briefly, toying with potential storylines. The only concept that resonated with him was inspired by a book titled ‘The Green Planet.’ This would have allowed audiences to explore E.T.’s world and lifestyle. Still, Spielberg concluded it was a story better suited for a novel than a cinematic experience.
Had a sequel been made, who knows how different the cinematic landscape might be today? Instead, thanks to Spielberg’s insistence, E.T. remains a cherished singular story—and it was certainly a lucrative one, holding the title of the highest-grossing film for a time.
