September 2nd had finally arrived—the day the nation had been buzzing about since the New York Times Summit seated its premise in the mind of every parent and child: E.T. had successfully transitioned from a bestseller into a must-see film. And tonight, Universal Pictures was rolling out the proverbial red carpet—at the famously ornate Chinese Theater, no less—to ensure that this occasion was nothing short of legendary.
Universal has done a lot for this film, from extensive marketing to organizing the grand premiere. It was only possible because the film changed its type. In the previous timeline, it was an original film, now it is an adapted film. From Steven's experiment flim to an IP with a huge fan base.
The premiere is scheduled for 7 PM at the renowned Chinese theater, taking special care to accommodate the children attending. A surprisingly large crowd is present, with many young ones in attendance. As celebrities make their way down the red carpet, the sound of camera shutters creates a symphony of excitement. Meanwhile, fans cheer enthusiastically and reporters pose their questions, while the bustling paparazzi add to the lively atmosphere.
Drek Williams, a formidable reporter for the Los Angeles Times, stood among the throngs, watching the spectacle unfold around him. Usually stoic, Drek felt like a juggler with his hands full.
His trusty sidekick and assistant, Tara, hardly moved from his side, spewing conjectures like an excited child on Christmas morning. “Drek, come on! A seven-year-old is both the screenwriter and the actor?” She rolled her eyes dramatically. “That’s crazy! Unless he’s somehow an alien, I can’t believe it.”
Drek sighed, lowering his camera momentarily. “Hey, with Hollywood, anything is possible. You ought to know that.” He squinted into the sea of chaos, a hundred excited children dragging their glossy parents down the carpet. “Look at these kids! They believe in magic! And who knows? Maybe this kid is—”
“Boo!” A child shrieked, clad in a plastic E.T. costume complete with glowing fingers. Tara yelped, and Drek cackled, fully accepting that amidst the chaos, whimsy was alive and well.
“See? If we play our cards right, maybe that seven-year-old can teach us a thing or two about true creativity,” he replied, grinning.
A family of three strolls down the red carpet. The man is dressed in a sleek black suit, while the woman shines in a silky black gown, and the young boy in the middle sports a stylish three-piece black suit.
Richard has faced many red carpets in his last life. Not like the main character of the event, this stirred a mix of excitement and nerves within him. Yet, despite the flutter of anxiety and anticipation, he found his composure and began to smile as he made his way down the red carpet.
“Mr. Richard Jackson!” yelled an overly enthusiastic reporter, his voice sharp enough to break the glass. “What’s it like to see your first book adapted into a movie?”
“Mr. Jackson, since it’s your acting debut, how do you feel about it?”
As they reached the press area, a flurry of questions surrounded them. But, sticking to their plan, they chose to ignore the shouting reporters and proceeded straight to the front of the theater.
Tara nudged Drek with her elbow. "Look at that! Now that's how a professional makes an entrance."
"Hmmm... He's definitely got guts," Drek responded, adjusting his lens to capture the ideal shot of the rising star interacting with the film's director, Steven Spielberg.
This won't be the first time they’ve been seen together, nor will it be the last.
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"Hey Steven, how are you?" Richard greeted, taking the initiative to chat with Steven Spielberg, who stood in front of him.
"Hey Richard... How are you feeling?" Steven replied with a smile.
"Honestly, I’m not quite sure what I’m feeling right now. But I can definitely say it’s an improvement over the filming," Richard quipped, nodding his head as if to emphasize his point.
The men around Richard erupted into laughter at his remark.
"Oh Richard, please never change. By the way, these are Francis Coppola, Martin Scorsese, and George Lucas," he added, introducing his companions.
"Hello everyone. It’s great to meet you all. But look at the time—the show is about to start. Let’s head in," Richard said as he glanced at his watch.
Soon, after what felt like only minutes of mingling, applause erupted as the lights dimmed, and the film’s logo appeared on the screen. Along with the logo of Amblin pictures and Universals flashed one after another.
Richard is excited to see E.T. one more time on the big screen. This time it is he who is acting against the little alien.
The ambiance was a perfect recipe for excitement as Drek reclined in his seat.
The opening credits rolled, and Drek smiled, fully prepared to report on a night filled with wonder. The theatrics, the energy, the unapologetic chaos—every bit was a vivid canvas painted with laughter and joy.
On a serene and starry night in suburban California, a group of alien botanists embarked on a mission to Earth from their distant home planet. Their spacecraft glided effortlessly through the velvety darkness, carrying within it the curious beings who sought to explore the plant life of this newfound world.
However, their peaceful journey was unexpectedly interrupted by the harsh intrusion of a clandestine team of federal agents whose intentions remained shrouded in mystery. In their frantic attempt to evade capture, the alien botanists inadvertently left behind one of their own—an endearing little extraterrestrial named E.T.
Meanwhile, in a quaint house nestled amidst the quiet neighborhood, a young boy named Elliott found himself drawn outside by strange, ethereal noises that seemed to beckon him into the depths of his backyard. As he followed the mysterious sounds with a mixture of excitement and trepidation, he stumbled upon a sight that would change his life forever—a small, otherworldly being with glowing eyes and a gentle aura.
Elliott's heart raced with wonder and awe as he gazed at the wondrous creature before him. Despite his elation, he knew that convincing his skeptical family of E.T.'s existence would be no easy feat. Ignoring the doubts that loomed, he decided to entice the alien visitor back to his house using a trail of Reese's Pieces, a colorful array of treats that sparkled like jewels under the moonlit sky.
With careful precision, Elliott led E.T. into his sanctuary, hiding him away in the secrecy of his closet before introducing him to his siblings—Michael, the protective older brother, and Gertie, the precocious younger sister. Bound by a pact of secrecy, the trio embarked on a journey of discovery, uncovering the mysterious powers that lay dormant within E.T.'s gentle gaze.
E.T. revealed his extraordinary abilities to the children, demonstrating his uncanny knack for levitating mundane objects and revitalizing withered plants with a touch as soft as a whisper. As Elliott delved deeper into the enigmatic connection he shared with the alien being, he discovered that their bond transcended mere words, weaving a tapestry of emotions that resonated between them like an unspoken language.
In the midst of their budding friendship, E.T. confided in Elliott and Gertie about his longing to return to his distant home among the stars. With a sense of urgency hanging heavy in the air, the children rallied together to assist E.T. in constructing a device that would facilitate his communication with his kindred souls across the cosmos.
As the looming threat of the federal agents drew closer, E.T.'s condition gradually deteriorated, casting a shadow of despair over their fragile alliance. Yet, in moments of peril, the resilient bond between Elliott and E.T. shone brightly, illuminating their path with an unwavering light of hope and bravery.
On a fateful Halloween night, as phantoms danced under the canopy of ancient trees, Elliott and Michael embarked on a daring quest to reunite E.T. with his celestial family. Amidst the darkness of the forest, they guided their newfound friend towards his destiny, standing as pillars of strength in the face of impending danger.
In the wake of a heart-wrenching farewell, as the alien spaceship soared silently into the starlit sky, leaving behind a vibrant rainbow as a testament to the bond forged between two worlds, the audience watched in awe and wonder. The echoes of applause filled the theater, a symphony of gratitude for the poignant tale that had unfolded before their eyes.
The entire film crew sighs in relief, all that is left is the box office performance.