Actually in his time E.T. in its original theatrical run made $619 million worldwide and after two re-releases made worldwide total of $792 million with North America accounting for $435 million. So, Alex was hoping to break that record.
The distribution rights were sold to UNIVERSAL and they made publicity using the fact that the screen writer is a 11 year-old boy, which made a lot of fuss in the public. And they are also interested in watching how that boy acted. It was a good publicity.
The critics in preview ceremony gave high praise but still it's not enough. on July 4, 1980 "E.T." was released in 1200 theatres in North America.
********************
Alex was in deep sleep when Kim woke him up "Alex! Alex! Wake up"
"Oh... let me sleep some more Kim." Alex said yawning.
"Lazybones wake up. The weekend box office report came." with excitement in her voice.
"How much?" alex asked with eagerness.
"$15.5 million" she said smiling like a cheshire cat.
"How many?" Alex couldn't believe his ears.
"$15.5 million"
Alex was somewhat surprised because he knew in previous life the film's first weekend gross is around $11 million. It looks it is the butterflyeffect. And that morning several people made phone calls to congratulate like Steven Spielberg, Katherine Kennedy, Thomas Crane and paramount's Dawn Steele.
On Monday it still maintained the momentum and grossed $3.5 million.
On Tuesday $3.2 million.
On Wednesday $3.1 million.
On Thursday $ 3.7 million.
By the first the film grossed $29 million.
Alex knew it was the highest opening weekend and first week box office results but it's 1980 and it only matters if it have long legs. But still it was a record.
Aside from the box office success Alex got all the media coverage only next to Steven Spielberg. And Paramount higher-ups are happy that they signed him before the release otherwise his salary would have been sky rocketed.
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On it's second week it grossed $31.75 million with a significant rise.
On it's third week it grossed $30.9 million.
On it's fourth week , $28.8 million.
In just one month it grossed $120.45 million making everybody shocked and at the same time surpised. It also became one of the highest grossing films in North America in just a month.
In overseas it grossed $75.6 million taking the total box office gross to $196.05 million. The box office analysts predicted that it may out gross the STAR WARS to become the highest grossing film in North America.
**************
In August 14, 1980 the shooting of HOME ALONE started in Chicago. The director is John Landis. He previously directed The Kentucky Fried Movie, National Lampoon's Animal House, The Blues Brothers which were very successful. And also Dan Aykroyd and John worked previously on The Blues Brothers .
The filming was going smooth and E.T. was still going at the box office. By the end of august it crossed $200 million in North America earning $209.7 million and $ 171.6 million overseas for a grand total of $381.3 million making it the second highest grossing film just below the $450 million gross of STAR WARS(1977). And E.T. is going to outgross it sooner or later.
At this time Kim Basinger was shooting "Pretty Woman" in Los Angeles. Paramount greenlit the project after the success of E.T. and Kim showed her three years of hardwork in audition and got the role. Alex didn't invest in it as he hadn't got any money and he had to wait until december to get the dividend from profits.
In the "Pretty Woman" as the male lead Al pacino got cast . In Alex's previous actually Al pacino almost got cast as the lead in this film but for unknown reasons he rejected and Richard Gere got the role.
Alex played the role of Kevin with ease as he took acting lessons after E.T. and he thought he acted way better than the previous actor who played Kevin.
The filming of HOME ALONE finished in October 12, 1980 and alex got on a plane to meet Kim Basinger on the film location.
***************
By the fourteenth week E.T. grossed $296.7 million in North America and $223.8 million from overseas to the world wide total of $520.5 million making it the highest grossing film of all time.
But Alex was somewhat surprised as it grossed more than the film in his previous life. He tried to understand the cause but giave up and attributed the reason to the butterfly effect.
[https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/88/17/88/881788b55b3119acd7f99bac021fb129.jpg] Image result for john Landis [http://cdn4.thr.com/sites/default/files/2013/11/john_landis.jpg]
Al Pacino John Landis