E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial has finally gotten a sequel… well, sort of. Created by Comcast Xfinity to promote the company’s focus on “connectivity,” the new four-minute short film A Holiday Reunion serves as a brief sequel to the legendary original film from 1982. In addition to featuring the return of the titular alien to Earth, the short also brings back former child star Henry Thomas to reprise the role of Elliott.
Set 37 years after the events of E.T., A Holiday Reunion has Thomas portraying an adult Elliott who is now married with two children of his own. When Elliott and his kinds find E.T. hiding behind a snowman outside, they invite him in to show him just how much things have changed since the the extra-terrestrial had last been around. Although it’s in part a plug for Xfinity, the short is filled with magical and touching moments sure to please longtime E.T. fans – which even includes an appearance from the iconic bicycle. Expect to see many other references as well.
A Holiday Reunion has already been uploaded online, though it will also be screening intermittently during the Thanksgiving evening showings of E.T. on Syfy. NBC also aired a shorter version during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and a 30-second cut will be aired during NFL games and in movie theaters through Jan. 5. For the sake of ultimate convenience, however, you can watch the short film in its entirety below, courtesy of Xfinity on YouTube, and you can find out more info at the company’s official website.
Synopsis: 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.
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