Random Behind-The-Scenes Stories From 'E.T. Extra-Terrestrial' (15 items)

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  (#2) Reese's Pieces Weren't The First Choice Of Candy

  Elliott and E.T.’s intergalactic friendship begins thanks to Reese’s Pieces, with the former leaving the latter a trail of candies in the woods. Hershey (which made the candy) went on to see its profits go up nearly 300% thanks to the use of the product, but it might surprise you to know that Reese’s Pieces weren't the first choice of candy. 

  According to William Kotzwinkle (who wrote his novelization based on the screenplay), the original script specified the use of M&M's. However, the Mars Company refused to go along with the deal, believing it was doing just fine, and didn’t want to peddle its product in Spielberg's film.

  Mars’s loss proved to be Hershey’s gain: The film made Reese's Pieces a regular commodity at movie theaters around the world. 
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  (#8) The Young Cast Played With The Kids From 'Poltergeist' Between Takes

  In the summer of 1982, Poltergeist and E.T. were both released. Spielberg was not only the director of E.T., but also the producer and co-author of Poltergeist’s screenplay (many believe he also helped direct).

  The films were also filmed at the same time (and near each other), leading the casts and crews to hang with one another. The kids spent the most time together (as seen in the production still of Spielberg and the kids above). 
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  (#10) Initially, Spielberg Himself Was The Voice of E.T.

  Spielberg acted out most of E.T.'s dialogue by positioning himself beside the camera for the child actors to see (and better connect them with the character). In post, a raspy-voiced smoker by the name of Pat Welsh was hired (whose voice was mixed with the voices of 18 other people and various animal noises) to complete E.T.’s dialogue.

  Welsh was reportedly only paid $380 for her role. She also went on to be hired by George Lucas to be the voice of Boushh in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.  
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  (#13) There Were Plans For A Sequel

  Spielberg and Mathison wrote a story treatment for an E.T. sequel. The treatment is entitled E.T. II: Nocturnal Fears, and takes place the summer after the first film. In it, Elliott and his friends are abducted by a mutated race related to E.T.’s, led by an evil alien named Korel. E.T. shows up and rescues the kids, ultimately helping them get back to Earth.

  Spielberg abandoned this idea because he felt it would rob the original film of its purity, but you can read the treatment here. 

  William Kotzwinkle, who wrote E.T.’s novelization, penned a sequel to E.T. called E.T.: The Book of the Green Planet (fun fact: E.T. is technically a vegetable), which is set on the character’s home planet, Brodo Asogi. 
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  (#4) Harrison Ford Had His Cameo Cut From The Final Film

  E.T.’s screenwriter, Melissa Mathison, asked her boyfriend at the time (and future ex-husband), Harrison Ford, if he’d be up for a brief cameo in the movie. The scene took place in the principal's office after Elliott, under E.T.’s influence, releases all of the frogs in his biology class (and kisses the girl he likes).

  The principal in this scene was played by Ford, and though he is never seen, Ford’s unmistakable voice can be heard reprimanding Elliott.

  Ultimately, Spielberg cut this scene due to Ford’s rising popularity at the time. He thought the star of Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark would distract audiences and take away from the immersion factor. 
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  (#1) Three Actors Wore E.T.'s Costume, One Of Which Was A 12-Year-Old Walking On His Hands

  Scenes that featured E.T. moving around called for a full-sized costume (made with hidden slits in the alien’s chest so the wearer could see), which was worn by three different actors over the course of production.

  The first person to embody the character was Matthew DeMeritt, a 12-year-old born without legs whom Spielberg found through the UCLA Medical Center. DeMeritt's suit was rigged so that he could place his hands into E.T.'s feet and use them to walk. He's the one operating the suit for E.T.'s intoxicated scenes in the kitchen (when he falls on his face). 

  Eventually, the costume proved too taxing for DeMeritt, and production brought in Tamara de Treaux and Pat Bilon, two little people hired to complete additional scenes. The actors were often cooled off with blow dyers between scenes. 

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