Fans getting up to watch the Macy’s Parade this morning probably did not expect to see the return of E.T. to Earth when they turned on NBC. However, this morning during the Macy’s Parade broadcast that is exactly what they got.
Comcast, the parent company of NBC made a reunion between E.T. and Elliott happen after first distributing the movie in 1982. Henry Thomas, who originally played Elliott returned for the role nearly four decades later.
“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,” said Thomas, in a statement released by Comcast.
The reunion was created for a commercial for Xfinity, a company owned by Comcast. Steven Spielberg, the director of the original film, was discussed throughout the creation of this commercial and gave his consent for it to be made. Sources say that Spielberg appreciated the theme of connection during the holidays in the ad.
The ad itself is quite the risk. The original film is a classic and is beloved by many. Thankfully, this commercial focuses more on story and than on sales and is respectful to the original.
A shorter version of the commercial will be shown on television following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. E.T. the Extra–Terrestrial first came to theaters on June 11, 1982. What did you think of this advertisement?
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