Comcast (parent company of Universal Pictures) has debuted a new 4-minute Xfinity ad titled A Holiday Reunion, which brings together E.T. and Elliott (Henry Thomas) for the first time in 37-years. Check out the short pseudo-sequel to 1982’s classic E.T. the Extraterrestrial in the player below!
“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,” Thomas told Deadline.
After 37 years, E.T. comes back to visit his friend, Elliott, for the holidays. During his stay, E.T. learns that Elliott now has a family of his own and that technology has completely changed on Earth since his last visit.
The ad was directed by Lance Acord, cinematographer on such films as Lost in Translation and Adaptation. While it was not made with the direct participation of original filmmaker Steven Spielberg, he did give the ad his blessing and acted as consultant.
“Looking at the storyboards, I could see exactly why Steven was really behind it,” Thomas said, “because the integrity of the story isn’t lost in this retelling.”
What do you think of A Holiday Reunion? Does it honor the legacy of E.T.? Let us know in the comments below!
