Steven Spielberg Reflects on Directing Young Drew Barrymore in ‘E.T.’

Steven Spielberg was greatly influenced by Drew Barrymore when he was creating ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ in the early 1980s. Reunited recently for a discussion at the TCM Classic Film Festival at New York City’s 92nd Street Y, the two discussed their collaboration on the classic 1982 movie. Dave Karger mediated the event.

According to Barrymore, ‘E.T.’ changed her life and is still the project she is most proud of. She gave Spielberg credit for having faith in her, and she claimed that this faith had influenced her ideals and style of living. Spielberg agreed, stating that the movie also had a profound impact on his life.

Spielberg’s love of storytelling drove him to devote himself entirely to filmmaking prior to ‘E.T.’ But it was while working on the film that he first began to think about becoming a father. He clarified that he became aware that he would one day become a true father after directing the young actors, especially Barrymore, who was only six years old. Spielberg felt intensely protective of the kids on site, so he compared the job of a filmmaker to that of a father.

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Spielberg told her that she had not wrecked his ideas about children when Barrymore asked him in jest if she had. The audience laughed when she playfully declared her job done.

Spielberg also disclosed that, mainly because he has shown it to all seven of his children and some of his grandchildren, he has seen ‘E.T.’ more than any other film he has made. In order to make sure his younger grandchildren are ready for emotional scenes like ‘E.T.’s appearance, he stated that he is careful when he shows the movie to them.

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Spielberg discussed during the session how his parents’ divorce served as some inspiration for ‘E.T.’ In 2022, during a special 40th anniversary celebration, he explained how the plot developed from his own life. In order to fill an emotional gap, Elliott, the character, took on the role of ‘E.T.’, and the film evolved into a story about a family dealing with a loss.

Spielberg acknowledged that he hadn’t given having kids any real thought before to the film’s production because he was solely focused on the craft. But working with the young cast and developing ‘E.T.’ caused him to consider parenthood for the first time, establishing the notion that one day he might become a father.

–Farheen Ali 

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