Considering that countless movies have come out over the years, it, unfortunately, is true that a lot of them fail to find a sizable audience upon their release. Even when it comes to the movies that manage to make money, many of them largely get forgotten over time. After all, there are only so many movies in Hollywood history that can accurately be described as beloved classics.
Once a movie joins the pantheon of films that pass the test of time, it can be all too easy to think that things were always meant to turn out that way. In reality, however, so many things can go wrong in the production of a film that it sometimes seems odd that any movies are good at all. For example, most of the time when an actor turns out to be perfect for a role, another star came incredibly close to having the part instead.
When it comes to the movie E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, it is an all-time classic film that arguably has a pitch-perfect cast. For example, Drew Barrymore’s portrayal of Gertie in the film was so adorable that she added a huge amount of the movie’s heart. Amazingly enough, however, Barrymore easily could have missed out on the project if she hadn’t done something incredible to land the role.
Hollywood Royalty
At this point in Drew Barrymore’s life, it has become clear that she is Hollywood royalty in more than one way. First off, so many members of Barrymore’s family had found success as actors before Drew’s birth that it almost seems like she was born to be a star. More importantly, Drew has starred in so many stellar films that she has made her mark in movie history in a big way.
When you look at all of the movies that Drew Barrymore has starred in, several are considered to be all-time classics. For example, movies like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Scream, The Wedding Singer, and Donnie Darko are certain to be discussed for many years to come. In addition to those films, Barrymore has starred in many movies that have brought a smile to the face of the masses including Never Been Kissed and 50 First Dates.
Initial Opportunity
Since E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is such a beloved film, the movie’s production has garnered a lot of attention over the years. Thankfully, from all accounts, the movie’s director, Steven Spielberg, ensured that the kids who starred in the film had a good time on set. In fact, if you watch behind-the-scenes footage from the set, it is clear that Spielberg took on a fatherly role in Drew Barrymore’s life at the time. Amazingly enough, however, their first meeting was filled with lies and took place in a shocking place.
During a 2015 appearance on The Ellen Show, Drew Barrymore revealed that when she first met with Steven Spielberg she was auditioning for a different project. Furthermore, Barrymore revealed that her meeting with Spielberg took place on the set of Poltergeist.
While talking about the first conversation she had with Steven Spielberg during the aforementioned appearance, Drew Barrymore immediately revealed she was less than honest with him. “I lied to him. I lied my face off. I told him I was in a rock and roll band—that I was a drummer, of course. Because drummers are the coolest, and um, that I was a cook.”
Of course, when Drew Barrymore first met with Steven Spielberg, she was just a little kid so he had to know her claims were ridiculous. Despite that, Barrymore felt supremely confident that she would land the role she was auditioning for at that time.
“I felt like I had him in my butterfly net. I was so excited. Like, Pippi Longstocking was my hero, so like, I felt like girls can do anything—you know, there’s no ceiling! So I sold myself, and told my little stories.” Unfortunately, Barrymore’s confidence was somewhat misplaced since she went on to say that Spielberg’s response at that time was “you know what, you’re not right for this”.
Another Opportunity
When Drew Barrymore left the set of Poltergeist having failed to land the role she went there to audition for, she must have been understandably disappointed. However, right after Steven Spielberg passed on her for that role, he said something to her that would change her life. “I’m making another movie and I think you should come audition for that.”
Of course, in life people often say things they don’t mean to make other people happy in the moment. Clearly aware of that, during the aforementioned interview on The Ellen Show, Barrymore revealed that she initially thought Spielberg’s talk of another role was lip service. “I’m sure he won’t call”. Thankfully, Spielberg was true to his word and had Barrymore come in to audition for a role in a film that at that time was titled ‘This Boy’s Life’. Ultimately, after numerous auditions, Barrymore landed the role and the movie’s title was changed to E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
Of course, there are a lot of things that are remarkable about that story. For example, considering how heartfelt E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is, it is amazing to think that Drew Barrymore’s meeting with Steven Spielberg on the set of Poltergeist led to her starring in it. After all, Poltergeist was such a scary film.