Got in touch with Henry Thomas today!

[ChickenStu]

 I have wondered if Spielberg saying he will never do a sequel is just a smokescreen. You know how secretive he is. He wouldn't admit it if he was doing a sequel. 

Dude, why do you want to see this so much? I just don't get it. Isn't that one damn great film enough for you?

[Josh Kelhoffer]

Dude, why do you want to see this so much? I just don't get it. Isn't that one damn great film enough for you?

The same reason people want a Jurassic Park IV and Indiana Jones V, I suppose.

[ChickenStu]

The same reason people want a Jurassic Park IV and Indiana Jones V, I suppose.

Oh bad examples dude! The two things you mentioned, lend themselves happily to further stories. There's room in the universe for them. In the case of our favourite extra-terrestrial, the story was told.

Bish, bash, bosh DONE. Simple as. No further exploration, explanation, extrapolation needed. DONE. OVER.

I want to be a writer. I want to write for young audiences. And I write what I call "BIG STUFF". Not "sci-fi", not "fantasy" but "BIG STUFF". If I am a success, I won't be like J.K Rowling and write 7 or 8 books about the same thing. I will do NO SEQUELS. EVERYTHING I write will be original and stand alone.

Whilst I like a lot of sequels, it isn't what I want to do. I'd NEVER write one, and it's Spielberg's attitude to his classic movie that has inspired me to be like this.

The world needs less sequels. Simple as.

[Josh Kelhoffer]

I don't disagree that E.T. doesn't need a sequel. I don't feel there is more story to tell. You don't either. But Johnefriendly does.

They aren't that bad of examples. I feel those series have limited potential right now. Harrison is getting too old for the character (which clashes with what people want to see) and you can only do so much with an island or two full of dinosaurs.

[Vince]

Dude, why do you want to see this so much? I just don't get it. Isn't that one damn great film enough for you?

Didn't you write an idea for a sequel once? Or am I confusing you with someone else?

[Josh Kelhoffer]

Didn't you write an idea for a sequel once? Or am I confusing you with someone else?

I believe you're confusing this with the idea for Peter Pan as a follow up to E.T.

[ChickenStu]

I don't disagree that E.T. doesn't need a sequel. I don't feel there is more story to tell. You don't either. But Johnefriendly does.

I do admire his steadfast resolve though. And I am a fan of that.

They aren't that bad of examples. I feel those series have limited potential right now. Harrison is getting too old for the character (which clashes with what people want to see) and you can only do so much with an island or two full of dinosaurs.

Well, the world seems to want another Indy adventure. And you know what? It WILL happen. The writing is on the wall. We can't change it. We can just hope that at least this time it's good. I don't rate the last one too much.

As for the JP movies, well, all we want is a bit of "dino" action. As long as they can deliver that, who's complaining?

[Johnefriendly]

Dude, why do you want to see this so much? I just don't get it. Isn't that one damn great film enough for you?

I guess because I spent two years writing it!  Why are you not able to realize the potentiality of the possibility of a greater film than ET?  Is it completely and utterly impossible?  Never say never.     

[Johnefriendly]

Oh bad examples dude! The two things you mentioned, lend themselves happily to further stories. There's room in the universe for them. In the case of our favourite extra-terrestrial, the story was told.

Bish, bash, bosh DONE. Simple as. No further exploration, explanation, extrapolation needed. DONE. OVER.

The world needs less sequels. Simple as.

ChickenStu I have no problem with you expressing your heartfelt opinion but I heartily disagree.  My opinion is that the story has a lot of potential for a sequel.  A lot can happen in 30 years, not just in the life of Elliott and E.T. but also in the world.  2012 is a different world than 1982.  Even Spielberg is different. 

Just because you don't see it doesn't make it wrong or not needed or impossible.  Just realize the fact that you have no idea what is contained in the 214 pages of my screenplay (except for the tidbits I shared with you a few months back).  Let Spielberg be the one to decide.  And I sure hope he doesn't share your opinion otherwise I'm hosed.

[Chaotician]

ChickenStu I have no problem with you expressing your heartfelt opinion but I heartily disagree.  My opinion is that the story has a lot of potential for a sequel.  A lot can happen in 30 years, not just in the life of Elliott and E.T. but also in the world.  2012 is a different world than 1982.  Even Spielberg is different. 

Just because you don't see it doesn't make it wrong or not needed or impossible.  Just realize the fact that you have no idea what is contained in the 214 pages of my screenplay (except for the tidbits I shared with you a few months back).  Let Spielberg be the one to decide.  And I sure hope he doesn't share your opinion otherwise I'm hosed.

Like Stu, I also admire your resolve. But unless you know something we don't, or you are a licensed screenwriter or something of the sort, your script will not get far. Sure, you may have put your heart into it, and sure, it may be a wonderful script. I don't doubt that it is. But the reality is Spielberg will not take your script and film a sequel to E.T. with it. Unless, like I said, you know something we don't. Given Spielberg's take on an E.T. sequel (or rather, lack thereof) he also shares Stu's opinion. 

[megamoze]

And I sure hope he doesn't share your opinion otherwise I'm hosed.

With all due respect, if your hopes are riding on Spielberg making a sequel to E.T. based on your script, then you'd better get start saving up for some Prosac.  There is a virtually zero percent chance of him even reading it, let alone deciding to turn it into a major motion picture.

Not to dash your dreams or be a naysayer, but I work in the film industry and have a little knowledge of how these things work.  Even if you were David Koepp, there'd be little chance of this project getting off the ground.

If you like writing screenplays and want to get into the industry that way, then you're WAY better off writing your own stuff and pitching that around than spinning your wheels on a movie that Spielberg himself has practically promised will never happen.

[Johnefriendly]

With all due respect, if your hopes are riding on Spielberg making a sequel to E.T. based on your script, then you'd better get start saving up for some Prosac.  There is a virtually zero percent chance of him even reading it, let alone deciding to turn it into a major motion picture.

Not to dash your dreams or be a naysayer, but I work in the film industry and have a little knowledge of how these things work.  Even if you were David Koepp, there'd be little chance of this project getting off the ground.

If you like writing screenplays and want to get into the industry that way, then you're WAY better off writing your own stuff and pitching that around than spinning your wheels on a movie that Spielberg himself has practically promised will never happen.

Well said Megamoze.  I was hoping for at least a .01% chance of him reading it.  Honestly all I ever wanted was for someone to read it who knows Spielberg.  It doesn't even have to be Spielberg.  I won't need the Prozac because I am fully aware of what I am doing and how completely insane I am for even thinking about it.  I figure you only live once and I have pretty much nothing else going for me. (A college degree in film doesn't get you anywhere in the film industry)  So I guess if it's not hurting anyone or anything, what have I got to lose?  I fully expect rejection but that's okay I'm fine with that.  As Conan O'Brien said, "Be kind and work hard and great things will happen."

[megamoze]

So I guess if it's not hurting anyone or anything, what have I got to lose?

Your time. 

Like I said, you COULD be spending that time on more worthwhile, productive projects.  It IS possible to pursue a career in this business.  But you sound like you've written the whole thing off for this one virtually impossible shot. 

Spielberg has said he didn't want to make an E.T. sequel.  Let's say I knew him and could get a script to him.  Do you really think I'd stake my professional contact/friendship on the line for your script, when I know I'd just be wasting my time and his?  No way.  Do you imagine that you're the first or only person to write an unsolicited sequel to E.T.?

A college degree in film doesn't get you anywhere in the film industry

No, but do you know what does?  Writing scripts and producing work that people might actually want to buy.  You've hitched your dreams to a lottery ticket when you could be writing original ideas and stories, or making short films, or any number of things that could lead to genuine paying gigs.

Honestly, you'd be better off just changing all the names and some of the details and selling it as a nice little sci-fi flick.

[Johnefriendly]

Your time. 

Yes and a lot of it.

Like I said, you COULD be spending that time on more worthwhile, productive projects.  It IS possible to pursue a career in this business.  But you sound like you've written the whole thing off for this one virtually impossible shot. 

No, but do you know what does?  Writing scripts and producing work that people might actually want to buy.  You've hitched your dreams to a lottery ticket when you could be writing original ideas and stories, or making short films, or any number of things that could lead to genuine paying gigs.

Thankfully I don't have all my eggs in one basket.  I do have a 24 minute short among other short films.  I am continually writing and shooting short films although I have been distracted the last couple of years.  I also have one other completed feature script with others in the process.  I am currently writing an animated feature.

Just curious what you do in the industry?  I see you posed with a soldier from the RedOne army in your profile pic.

[Johnefriendly]

These E.T. sequel posts should be under a different topic.