A little bit of context
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial: A Pop Culture Icon
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, the lovable alien from Steven Spielberg’s 1982 classic film, has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide for over four decades. E.T.’s journey to Earth and his heartwarming friendship with Elliott touched countless lives and solidified E.T.’s place as a pop culture phenomenon. Get ready to discover E.T.’s history, explore the variety of merchandise and collectibles available, and discuss the future of this enduring franchise.
E.T.’s Origins and History
The creation of E.T. stemmed from Spielberg’s own childhood experiences. Following his parents’ divorce in 1960, Spielberg imagined an alien companion, “a friend who could be the brother never had,” to fill the void in his life. This imaginary friend, who he later named “Zrek,” would later serve as inspiration for the character of E.T., a botanist and explorer from another planet.
In the late 1970s, Spielberg began developing a darker alien film titled “Night Skies,” but during the filming of “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” he revisited the idea of a friendly alien. He shared his concept with screenwriter Melissa Mathison, who transformed it into the heartwarming story we know today.
The design of E.T. was brought to life by Italian special effects artist Carlo Rambaldi. Rambaldi drew inspiration from various sources, including his own painting “Women of Delta,” which led him to give E.T. his unique extendable neck. The creature’s face was inspired by the likes of Carl Sandburg, Albert Einstein, and Ernest Hemingway. To achieve E.T.’s expressive eyes, producer Kathleen Kennedy visited the Jules Stein Eye Institute to study real and glass eyes, ultimately hiring Institute staffers to create E.T.’s eyes.
Bringing E.T. to life on screen involved a team of puppeteers and actors. Tamara De Treaux and Pat Bilon, both little people, along with 12-year-old Matthew DeMeritt, who was born without legs, took turns wearing the costume. Caprice Roth, a professional mime, filled prosthetics to play E.T.’s hands.
E.T. on the Big Screen
“E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” premiered in 1982 and became an instant box office sensation. Initially, Columbia Pictures rejected the script, believing it would only appeal to young children and lacked commercial potential. However, Universal Pictures saw the potential and acquired the script.
The film tells the story of Elliott, a young boy who discovers and befriends E.T., an alien botanist who has been accidentally left behind on Earth. Elliott, along with his siblings Michael and Gertie, help E.T. contact his people and return home while protecting him from government agents. To capture genuine emotions from the child actors, Spielberg filmed “E.T.” in chronological order.
The film’s success can be attributed to its heartwarming story, Spielberg’s masterful direction, and the groundbreaking special effects that brought E.T. to life. “E.T.” grossed $359 million in North America and $619 million worldwide holding the record for the highest-grossing film of all time for eleven years until it was surpassed by Spielberg’s own “Jurassic Park” in 1993. The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards, winning four: Best Original Score, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, and Best Sound Editing.
Interestingly, Harrison Ford filmed a cameo as an uptight school principal, but the scene was ultimately deleted.
E.T. in Video Games
E.T.’s popularity extended to the world of video games, with several titles released over the years. The most well-known, and perhaps infamous, is the 1982 Atari 2600 game. While riding on the coattails of the film’s success, Atari rushed the game’s development, giving designer Howard Scott Warshaw only five weeks to create it. This resulted in a game riddled with glitches and frustrating gameplay, often cited as one of the worst video games ever made and a contributing factor to the video game industry crash of 1983. The game’s notoriety was further cemented when thousands of unsold cartridges were reportedly buried in a landfill in Alamogordo, New Mexico.
Despite this setback, E.T. has appeared in other video games across various platforms.
| Game Title | Platform | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| E.T. Phone Home! | Atari 8-bit computers | Help Elliott find parts for E.T.’s transmitter. |
| E.T.: Digital Companion | Game Boy Color | Use your Game Boy Color as a personal digital assistant with E.T. |
| E.T.: Escape from Planet Earth | Game Boy Color | Find communicator parts to help E.T. call his spaceship. |
| E.T.: Interplanetary Mission | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation | Collect rare plants from different planets. |
| E.T. and the Cosmic Garden | Game Boy Color | Travel to different planets and restore the Cosmic Garden. |
| Lego Dimensions | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | E.T. appears as a playable character. |
| E.T. Pinball | Pinball FX 3 | A virtual pinball table featuring E.T., Elliott, and the spaceship. |
Export to Sheets
Several other E.T. video games were planned but ultimately cancelled, including “E.T.: Return to the Green Planet” for PlayStation 2 and “E.T.: Search for Dragora” for GameCube and Xbox.
E.T. Merchandise and Collectibles
E.T. has been featured on a wide range of merchandise, including plush toys, action figures, apparel, and home décor. Here are some of the popular E.T. collectibles available today:
Plush Toys
- Mattel E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 40th Anniversary 11 Inch Plush with Lights and Sound: This cuddly plush features a light-up finger and iconic phrases from the movie, including “E.T. phone home.” It’s perfect for cuddling or displaying at home.
- The Noble Collection E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial E.T. Plush: This intricately detailed plush stands at approximately 11 inches tall and is made of soft, premium materials.
- Kidrobot E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Plush: Kidrobot offers a variety of E.T. plush toys, including interactive plush with light-up features.
Action Figures
- NECA E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 40th Anniversary 7″ Scale Action Figure – Ultimate E.T.: This highly detailed action figure comes with accessories like a candy bag, blanket, Speak & Spell, and potted plant.
- NECA E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 40th Anniversary 7″ Scale Action Figure – Ultimate Dress-Up E.T.: This figure features E.T. wearing the dress from the playtime scene with Elliott’s little sister. It includes a purse, potted plant, and interchangeable heads and hands.
Other Merchandise
| Item |
|---|
| E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 40th Anniversary 11 Inch Plush with Lights and Sound |
| E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial E.T. Plush |
| E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Plush |
| E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 40th Anniversary 7″ Scale Action Figure – Ultimate E.T. |
| E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 40th Anniversary 7″ Scale Action Figure – Ultimate Dress-Up E.T. |
| E.T. Apparel |
| E.T. Home Décor |
| E.T.: The Book of the Green Planet |
Export to Sheets
You can find E.T. merchandise at various retailers, including Target, Walmart, Amazon, Kidrobot, eBay, and Universal Studios Orlando.
Sales figures for E.T. merchandise have been impressive. For example, Target offers a wide variety of E.T. items, with prices ranging from $15 to $249. Zavvi has a “2 for $34” deal on E.T. t-shirts and offers other merchandise like mugs and cushions. Hot Topic also features E.T. apparel with discounts on select styles.
E.T. in Popular Culture
E.T.’s impact extends beyond the screen and into the realm of art and popular culture. One notable example is the 1982 painting “Yalta Conference” by Soviet conceptual artists Komar and Melamid, which depicts E.T. in FDR’s outfit alongside Stalin and Hitler. This unexpected portrayal highlights E.T.’s widespread recognition and his ability to transcend cultural boundaries.
The Future of E.T.
While there have been rumors of a new E.T. movie, including a hoax surrounding a potential sequel titled “E.T.: The Return to Earth,” Spielberg has expressed his desire to leave the original film untouched. He and Mathison even abandoned an early sequel idea titled “E.T. II: Nocturnal Fears.” However, Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment, who own the rights to the E.T. franchise released a four-minute short film in 2019 called “E.T. A Holiday Reunion,” which shows a grown-up Elliott with his own family reuniting with E.T.
The enduring popularity of E.T. suggests that the franchise will continue to thrive through merchandise, collectibles, and potentially other forms of media. Exploring new video games or interactive experiences could further engage fans and introduce E.T. to new generations. The use of technology, such as AI, could also play a role in developing the franchise, perhaps through creating personalized E.T. experiences or interactive storytelling.
Conclusion
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial remains a beloved character and a pop culture icon. His story of friendship, adventure, and the wonder of discovery continues to resonate with audiences of all ages. E.T. helped redefine how aliens are portrayed in popular culture, moving away from the monstrous archetype to a more benevolent and friendly figure. This shift reflects a growing desire for connection and understanding beyond our own world.
E.T.’s enduring appeal lies in the universal themes of friendship, empathy, and acceptance, which resonate with audiences across generations. In a world often divided by differences, E.T.’s message of embracing those who are different is more relevant than ever. His story reminds us of the importance of kindness, compassion, and looking beyond outward appearances.
Even the infamous Atari E.T. video game, despite its commercial failure, served as a valuable lesson for the video game industry. It highlighted the importance of prioritizing quality over rushed development and marketing hype, a lesson that continues to resonate in today’s gaming landscape.
E.T.’s legacy extends beyond entertainment. He holds one of the highest rankings for mass appeal and worldwide recognition among all movie characters. His story encourages us to embrace our imagination, cherish our friendships, and remain open to the wonders that lie beyond our own world, reminding us that even in a technology-driven age, the power of human connection and the magic of wonder still hold a special place in our hearts.
…