E.T. did make a cameo appearance in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. It was a fun and unexpected moment for fans of both franchises. Now, let me give you some background on how this cameo came to be.
Back in the 1980s, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg had a close friendship and often collaborated on their projects. In fact, Spielberg even directed the Indiana Jones series, which Lucas created. So, when Lucas was working on The Phantom Menace, he wanted to pay homage to Spielberg and his iconic character, E.T.
The cameo occurs during the Galactic Senate scenes in The Phantom Menace. In one shot, when the Senate is in session, you can spot a group of alien beings from different planets. And among them, you can see three members of E.T.’s species called the “Asogians.”
It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, but it’s undoubtedly E.T.’s species. They are there as representatives of their home planet, and it’s a delightful Easter egg for fans to spot. The inclusion of E.T.’s species in the Star Wars universe suggests that these two fictional worlds may exist within the same universe or at least have some connection.
This cameo was a result of the mutual respect and friendship between George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. In Spielberg’s 1982 film, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, there is a scene where young Elliott plays with Star Wars action figures, specifically a Yoda figure. This was Spielberg’s way of acknowledging his friend’s work.
So, when Lucas was making The Phantom Menace, he wanted to return the favor and include E.T.’s species in his film. It was a fun and playful nod between two legendary filmmakers, and fans enjoyed seeing the connection between these beloved franchises.
This cameo is a testament to the camaraderie and friendship that exists in the film industry. It’s always heartwarming to see filmmakers paying tribute to each other’s work, and this particular cameo brought joy to fans of both E.T. and Star Wars.
E.T.’s species did make a cameo appearance in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace as members of the Galactic Senate. It was a small but significant tribute from George Lucas to Steven Spielberg, showcasing the strong bond between these two legendary directors.