Entrance to the "E.T. Adventure" ride features a moonlit scene with E.T.'s iconic silhouette on a bicycle soaring past silhouetted trees. Signs highlight a 15-minute wait time and express entry for eager adventurers.

Spielberg Recalls Fight to Stop E.T. Sequel Featuring Characters from Universal Attraction

Jamie Rowland

While attending the TCM Classic Film Festival: New York Pop-Up x 92NY, Steven Spielberg recalled fighting to stop a sequel to 1982’s “E.T. – The Extra-Terrestrial.”

Spielberg on Fight to Stop E.T. Sequel

According to Comicbook.com,  Spielberg admitted that for a time, he “flirted with” the possibility of an “E.T.” sequel and tried developing a suitable concept. This led to the publishing of the novel “E.T.: The Book of the Green Planet,” which Spielberg ultimately felt worked better as a book than a movie. 

In the 1985 novel, stripped of his powers for displaying signs of earthly corruption, E.T. must elude the elite guards of the Starcruiser fleet, escape to Earth, and guide Elliott through his awkward transition into manhood.

Characters introduced in the novel are featured in E.T. Adventure at Universal Studios Florida.

Model of a fictional alien with large eyes and an elongated neck, standing in a forest setting with trees and foliage.

Botanicus, who plays the role of E.T.’s teacher in E.T. Adventure, originally appeared in “E.T.: The Book of the Green Planet.” In the queue, he comes down to alert guests of the troubles on his home, the Green Planet. His desire is for E.T. to return home.

Spielberg, a long-term partner of Universal Destinations & Experiences, lends an appearance to the ride, as well. In the attraction’s pre-show, two screens play as Spielberg explains the story of the ride and the E.T. Adventure passports. Guests receive their passports in the next room when they tell a Team Member their name. They then give the passports to another Team Member upon boarding. Through the magic of technology, E.T. then thanks each guest personally at the end of the ride.

While Spielberg fought to never film a sequel to the original E.T., he has fought for the E.T. attraction. As other iterations of the ride closed in Universal parks around the world, he fought for it to stay in Florida, threatening to end the long-term partnership between the two entities. As of 2017, Variety published that Spielberg was receiving 5.2% of all gross revenue generated at Universal each year.

Although a sequel was never made, with the novel and subsequent ride created at Universal, fans of the movie can continue to enjoy E.T. and his adventure on Earth and his home planet.

New E.T. Adventure sign

E.T. Adventure is the last remaining opening day ride at Universal Studios Florida and has now been made part of the Hollywood area of the park. 

Check out the full ride and queue POV in our video below.

Do you enjoy this original ride at Universal Studios Florida? Let us know in the comments!

Source: Comicbook.com

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