It has been forty years since the classic sci-fi E.T. by Steven Spielberg brought us the story of how a little boy named Elliott befriends an extra-terrestrial stranded on Earth.
As the movie gained a massive following, Elliott’s little sister, played by Drew Barrymore, caught people’s attention, making the actress a household name.
Now in a new interview with PEOPLE, Barrymore looks back on the film and its creator fondly and says she has plans to celebrate this milestone with Spielberg and her two daughters.
I’ve actually been speaking with Steven Spielberg about it. He calls my girls who he held when they were babies, and he’s known them throughout their lives. I do want to revel in this moment with them and include them and celebrate with Steven. He’s a big father figure to me.
Barrymore, who has two daughters, Frankie, 7, and Olive, 9, said that it is even more special considering her daughters are around the same age that she was when she played Gertie in the film,
So he’s like, ‘We’re not missing this moment with your kids.’ I’m like, ‘Okay. You’re right. We can’t. You’re right.’ This is very emotional and full circle. My kids are very close to the age that I was when E.T. came out… This is where I’m at, and they love Steven.
The film first premiered on June 11, 1982, where a 7-year-old Barrymore starred alongside Henry Thomas in the role of her brother.
The actress sure is excited about the anniversary as she also mentioned it on her ‘The Drew Barrymore Show.’
Barrymore had only praises for Spielberg, whom she looks up to as a father figure. While talking to Dax Shepherd for his Armchair Expert podcast in September last year, the actress said,
I got lucky. He single-handedly changed my life. He was also someone who I didn’t realize until I was older was also very fatherly. He calls me his first kid. He was appalled by me wearing red lipstick or when I did Playboy. He sent me a note, ‘Cover up!’
Barrymore added Spielberg treats her daughters with the exact protective nature as he did for her growing up.
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of E.T. with the director is very meaningful to Barrymore and her daughters, as she went on to call it a “full circle” moment.
About E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (or E.T.) is a 1982 American science fiction film produced and directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Melissa Mathison. The film stars Dee Wallace, Henry Thomas, Peter Coyote, Robert MacNaughton, and Drew Barrymore.
The concept of the film was based on an imaginary friend that Spielberg created after his parents’ divorce. It tells the story of Elliott, a boy who befriends an extraterrestrial dubbed E.T., who is stranded on Earth. Along with his friends and family, Elliott must find a way to help E.T. return home while avoiding the government.
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