Why Steven Spielberg Fought to Keep 'E.T.' a Standalone Film

It feels like we get a sequel announced every year to some legacy film that should be left alone. But one movie we don't have to worry about is E.T.: The Extra-Terrestria__l.

As reported by Collider, Spielberg recently reflected on his refusal to revisit the movie, and his reasoning offers a masterclass in protecting creative artistic integrity over the bottom line.

Let's dive in.

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The Power of Spielberg

It's hard to imagine Steven Spielberg not being a powerhouse in Hollywood. But there was a time when that was true.

"Before E.T. , I had some rights, but I didn't have a lot of rights," Spielberg noted. "I kind of didn't have what we call 'the freeze,' where you can stop the studio from making a sequel... I got it after E.T. because of its success."

That movie earned him the right to be an auteur.

And in the current landscape, where every hit is treated as a "Proof of Concept" for a trilogy, the idea of a director fighting the studio not to make more money is radical.

For Spielberg, the story of E.T. was complete. To add a second chapter would be to dilute the emotional finality of Elliott saying goodbye.

The "Nocturnal Fears" Treatment

Okay, so there was also almost a sequel to ET. The movie was so successful that they had to at least explore the idea.

There is a famous, somewhat harrowing nine-page treatment titled E.T. II: Nocturnal Fears that Spielberg and screenwriter Melissa Mathison drafted shortly after the original's release.

You might still be able to find it here.

Unlike the whimsical, suburban magic of the first film, Nocturnal Fears leaned into horror. It involved malevolent, carnivorous aliens (mutated cousins of E.T.) kidnapping Elliott and his friends.

It was too dark, too weird, and they ultimately abandoned it and were confident that it was the right choice.

Key Takeaways for Filmmakers

One of the things Spielberg brings up is the idea of the power of the freeze. I bet a lot of people on here didn't know that existed. I know I learned about it from this article.

Well, you probably aren't going to get that in your contract. But there are a lot of other lessons to take away from this situation.

• Know Your Rights: Get a lawyer on every contract. And make sure they explain it all to you. As you grow in your career, negotiate for "the freeze" or creative approval over sequels to ensure your vision isn't diluted by studio interests.
• Tone is Sacred: If a sequel requires a complete abandonment of the original's heart, it probably shouldn't be made. If they let you have a say in that, fine, but if not, you have to be happy with your work.
• Respect the Ending: A perfect ending is a rare gift. Don't let the temptation of a franchise ruin a standalone masterpiece.

Summing It All Up

I love Spielberg, and I applaud him for having the courage to walk away from a sequel. His career has been spent doing everything, even some sequels, but at that moment, when he had the power, he chose to use it to make some diverse and interesting, and even weird movies.

That's inspirational to me, and I think his legacy is better for it.

Let me know what you think in the comments.