Summary

• Plans for E.T. 2 were scrapped by Spielberg to preserve the original's integrity and reputation.
• The proposed E.T. sequel, titled E.T. II: Nocturnal Fears, would have been darker with evil aliens terrorizing Earth's children.
• Spielberg rejected and E.T. sequel to protect the beloved original film from losing its magic.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial remains one of the most beloved of Steven Spielberg's movies, so it is not surprising that there were plans for E.T. 2 before the sequel was scrapped. The sci-fi classic E.T. was released in 1982 and has been praised by critics ever since, who consider it one of the finest films of its generation as well as one of the best films ever made. At one point, E.T. was the highest-grossing film of all time, surpassing Star Wars, but it was later overtaken by another Spielberg film, Jurassic Park, in 1993.

E.T. follows Elliott (Henry Thomas), a boy who finds an alien in his backyard and quickly befriends it. The creature, named “E.T.” by Elliott, was left behind by his group and must find a way to return to his home planet. The movie contained the signature Spielberg blend of wonder and heart which made it a crowd-pleasing experience for viewers of all ages. However, the original idea for E.T. 2 looked to take the movie in a very different direction before Spielberg decided against the project.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is currently unavailable for streaming, but can be rented and purchased on multiple platforms, including Amazon Prime Video and AppleTV.

E.T. 2 Would Have Been A Darker Movie

Evil Aliens Would Be Introduced In The Sequel

The sequel to E.T. may never have happened, but E.T. 2 did enter initial development, and even had a working title. The script treatment for E.T. II: Nocturnal Fears was written by Steven Spielberg and Melissa Mathison, the writer of the original movie. However, it was seen as a major departure from the original movie and much darker in tone. Though E.T. himself is seen as one of the greatest sci-fi movie aliens of all time, he is also one of the few who is friendly so it makes sense that the sequel would introduce some of the unfriendly aliens.

E.T. II: Nocturnal Fears would have been closer to a horror movie with the children terrorized by these evil albino carnivorous aliens.

The sequel would have seen a group of evil aliens coming to Earth and capturing Elliott and his friends. The young heroes then attempt to contact E.T. to come save them. The original E.T. certainly had some dark moments, such as when E.T. is supposedly dead. However, E.T. II: Nocturnal Fears would have been closer to a horror movie with the children terrorized by these evil albino carnivorous aliens.

E.T. screenwriter Melissa Mathison passed away in 2015, which is another key reason E.T. 2 was firmly put to bed. Mathison's other work includes being a story consultant and translator on Studio Ghibli's Ponyo, and the 2016's The BFG, for which she received a posthumous Saturn Award for Best Writing nomination.

Spielberg Decided Not To Make The Sequel To Preserve The Original

E.T. Cast Members Have Also Spoken About A Potential Sequel

While the darker material may have given him pause, Steven Spielberg ultimately decided not to go ahead with E.T. 2 because he wanted to preserve the integrity and reputation of the original movie. Indeed, Spielberg has often shied away from sequels, turning down the Jaws sequels, Jurassic Park 3, and even Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Spielberg has since insisted that he would never make a sequel to the beloved original movie (via IGN):

"I think a sequel to E.T. would do nothing but rob the original of its virginity. People only remember the latest episode, while the pilot tarnishes."

Several original cast members of E.T. The Extra-terrestrial have also commented on the idea of a sequel. In an interview with Andy Cohen in 2018, Drew Barrymore, who had her breakout role as Elliott's young sister Gertie, shared that Spielberg was never really on board with a sequel, telling her that a second E.T film was never going to be made as “it’s just as it is”. Henry Thomas also expressed hope that there will never be a sequel (via. Slashfilm):

"I think it should be left alone, but there's always been talk of a sequel. There was talk in the early '80s, because the studio was really pushing for it in light of the success that it had theatrically. But I don't know. I think it's really sad that we've lost Melissa Mathison, who was the screenwriter of E.T., because if anybody could have made it happen it was her."

In the end, E.T is a full story that doesn’t require any sequels, retellings, or prequels of any kind. Spielberg was arguably right in his assessment that it should be a standalone story, and that’s one of the many reasons why it has become known as one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made.