In July 1982, Steven Spielberg and Melissa Mathison developed a darker sequel treatment for E.T. titled ‘E.T. II: Nocturnal Fears.’ Set months after the original, it follows a lonely Elliott facing his parents’ divorce and new threats from malevolent albino aliens. As Elliott and friends confront these dangers, they experience intense challenges and hope for E.T.’s return. Ultimately, Spielberg chose not to pursue the sequel, fearing it would diminish the original’s impact.
A Glimpse into the Unmade Sequel: ‘E.T. II: Nocturnal Fears’
In July 1982, the iconic filmmaker Steven Spielberg, along with Melissa Mathison, the original screenwriter, crafted a treatment for a sequel to their beloved classic, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The first film concluded with a poignant moment, showcasing E.T. soaring back to his home planet against a stunning rainbow backdrop, leaving Elliott and his family on Earth, grappling with their loss.
What emerged was a darker sequel concept titled ‘E.T. II: Nocturnal Fears,’ and its intriguing treatment has since surfaced online. Below, we dive into this alternate narrative that never came to fruition.
A Darker Narrative with Albino Aliens
Set several months after the events of the original film, Elliott finds himself lonely as summer unfolds. Though he remains close to his siblings, Michael and Gertie, the absence of E.T. weighs heavily on him. Compounding his feelings of isolation is his parents’ divorce, with his mother now involved with Dr. Keys, a character from the first film. The memory of the extraterrestrial still lingers in the air.
Meanwhile, an ominous spaceship lands in a nearby forest, operated by malevolent aliens drawn to Earth by the distress signals sent out by E.T. These new extraterrestrial beings, resembling E.T. but with an albino appearance, are led by the ruthless Korel, who is on a mission to find an alien named Zrek, believed to have sent out a cry for help. The stage is set for an intense confrontation.
When Elliott receives a signal on the communicator he once used to contact E.T., he mistakes it for the alien’s return. Rallying his friends, they venture into the dark woods, only to encounter Korel, who demands to know Zrek’s whereabouts. When Elliott and his friends insist he has gone home, Korel’s disbelief leads to their capture. The children soon find themselves facing aliens with razor-sharp teeth, and their lives hang in the balance.
The interrogation scenes take a disturbing turn as Elliott and his friends are put to the test. Despite their determination to resist, Gertie struggles and calls out for Mary and E.T. for assistance. When Mary and Keys return home late, they discover their house eerily empty, prompting them to investigate further.
Elliott’s pain reaches a crescendo as he cries out for E.T.’s help. Miraculously, back home, the communicator flickers to life, signaling E.T.’s impending arrival. In a heartwarming twist, the geranium in Elliott’s room, which had been wilting since E.T.’s departure, revives just as hope sparks anew.
Upon arriving in the forest, E.T. reaches out to Elliott, and the two embrace, tears of joy flowing freely. Seizing the moment, the other children find their chance to escape. E.T. then takes control of the alien spaceship, ensuring that the hostile beings return to their own realm. As the family reunites, the emotional farewell unfolds, marking the end of this gripping tale.
Why the Sequel Remained Unmade
Despite its compelling premise, the treatment revealed a somewhat lackluster resolution where E.T. simply paralyzes the antagonists, resolving the conflict in a manner reminiscent of a deus ex machina. Moreover, the intensity of certain scenes, including the unsettling forest atmosphere and the brutal interrogation, raised concerns regarding its suitability for younger audiences who cherished the gentle charm of the original film.
In a candid interview with IGN in 2012, Spielberg elaborated on his decision to abandon the sequel, expressing, “I think a second E.T. would have done nothing but rob the original film of its virginity. People only remember the latest episode, while the pilot tarnishes.” This reflection highlights the delicate balance between nostalgia and innovation in storytelling.