Drew Barrymore Reunites 'E.T.' Cast 40 Years Later, Says She Thought E.T. Was 'Real'

Daniel Mitchell-Benoit
A scene from 'E.T.'
IMDb | Universal Pictures

E.T. is perhaps one of the most beloved movies of the '80s. It's a heartwarming tale about acceptance and loyalty, one that charmed audiences when it came out and still does to this day.

The movie turns 40 this year, and to celebrate, one of its stars gathered the main cast together in order to celebrate and spill some stories from behind the scenes.

This year is the 40th anniversary of 'E.T.'!

A scene from 'E.T.'
IMDb | Universal Pictures

One of the titular '80s classics, E.T. is a legendary movie that still has a huge place in pop culture today.

It was the film of a generation, one that's been passed down so many times even kids today love it.

It's a movie worth celebrating, which is exactly what's going to happen.

Drew Barrymore, who was only seven years old when she played Gertie in the movie, is holding a cast reunion on her talk show!

In a trailer for the special episode that will premiere on Halloween, Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace, and Robert McNaughton all appear as guests.

Plenty of stories are sure to be told.

We already got a taste of one, which is about young Barrymore's connection to E.T., as in the alien itself, who she thought was completely real at the time.

"I really loved him in such a profound way."

A scene from 'E.T.'
Giphy | Sky

She revealed that she would not only talk to but care for the animatronic alien, thinking it to be a real-life creature.

"I would go and take lunch to him," she admitted.

It was something her co-stars noticed too.

Henry Thomas, who played Elliot, is seen saying, "The first thing I remember is that we were on stage and it was quite cold on the stage and you asked the wardrobe lady if you could have a scarf for E.T.'s neck because he was gonna get cold, so you wrapped the scarf around his neck."

It really is adorable to think about.

A scene from 'E.T.'
Giphy | MANGOTEETH

Dee Wallace, who played Mary, also added, "We found you over there just talking away to E.T. and so we let Steven [Spielberg] know. So Steven, from that time on, appointed two guys to keep E.T. alive so whenever you came over to talk to him, he could react to you."

Barrymore was shocked by this.

Apparently, she had no idea how much the cast played into her belief for her sake. She looks rather touched, and who can blame her, that's such a sweet gesture! It really helped keep the magic alive for her.

All four also discussed a potential sequel.

A scene from 'E.T.'
Giphy | MANGOTEETH

They admit it's hard to think about doing one without the original screenplay author Melissa Mathison, who passed away in 2015.

"She was really the heart and soul of it," said Thomas, "It's a classic, leave it a classic."

Besides, one key figure has said he wouldn't do one anyway.

A scene from 'E.T.'
IMDb | Universal Pictures

That being director Steven Spielberg, who Barrymore recalls saying he would "never" make an E.T. sequel.

And honestly? That's more than okay. There's no way a sequel would ever match the fame and quality of the original film. Best to leave a classic alone for once.

h/t: 9Honey Celebrity