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E.T. Phones Home Again In Teary Short Film

It’s a reunion 37 years in the making. Better late than never, right?

E.T. Phones Home Again In Teary Short Film

E.T. and his human bestie Elliott are together again. No, they're not in a sequel to ET the Extra-Terrestrial, but a four-minute short film for the American telco Comcast Xfinity, which just dropped in time for the Thanksgiving holidays.

The film, A Holiday Reunion, shows E.T. back on Earth, checking in on his pal Elliott (again played by Henry Thomas), who now has his own family (his two kids look like a young Henry Thomas and Drew Barrymore, who played Elliott’s sister, Gertie).

Back in the day: Henry Thomas was nine when he made 'E.T. the Extra-terrestrial', which came out in 1982.

Because it's telco promo, it includes a part where Elliott’s son introduces the Internet to E.T. “A lot’s changed since you were here,” says Elliott. (Wait a sec, E.T. is from an advanced civilisation, right? Surely he's heard of the Net? Oh, never mind.)

Elsewhere, the film recreates familiar moments from the original movie – notably the flying bikes sequence — to John Williams’ iconic score. If you grew up on E.T., you’ll start tearing once the music kicks in.

Steven Spielberg once said he would never make a sequel to E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, even though he did think about doing one. He eventually nixed the idea, saying it would only “rob the original of its virginity.”

According to Deadline, Spielberg was cool with the reunion-themed short film pitched by Comcast’s ad agency. The Schindler’s List helmer was never directly involved in the production but was consulted throughout the process.

Thomas, 48, who was recently seen in Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep, says, “The audience is going to get everything they want out of a sequel without the messy bits that could destroy the beauty of the original and the special place it has in people’s minds and hearts."

Together again: Elliott (Henry Thomas, far right) and his family sharing a moment with E.T. in 'A Holiday Reunion'.

Photos: Universal Pictures, YouTube screen grabs

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