e.t. tv-series (script)

8/13/2019 E.T. TV-Series (Script)

1/22

E.T.THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL TV-SERIES

EPISODE I

Screenplay by

John Carrillo

Story byJohn Carrillo

Characters byMelissa Mathison


2/22

FADE IN:

EST SHOT - SUNLAND HILLS - RISING MORNING

PANNING VIEW of Sunland suburbia.

PUSH DOWN into a traditional home. CLOSE in on a window untilwe are finally inside--

INT. ELLIOTTS ROOM - CONTINUOUS

EST SHOT OF ELLIOTTS ROOM

Inside, ELLIOTT (14) sleeps. MOVES abruptly side to side onhis bed. Night terrors.

CLOSE UP ON ELLIOTTS FACE

Hes is drenched in sweat. MURMURS in discomfort.

FLASHBACK: An image of a younger Elliott, sick on a bed.E.T., next to him. Both, pale white.

BACK TO ELLIOTT

He becomes agitated...

FLASHBACK: Elliott and E.T. on a bike, SOAR through the sky.MEN IN BLACK close in on them.

BACK TO ELLIOTT

His dream escalades...

FLASHBACK: SLAM! A car door CLOSES on Elliott and E.T. PITCHBLACK. Elliott and E.T. are taken away. Elliott SCREAMS!

BACK TO ELLIOTT

He WAKENS.

Alarm goes off. BUZZES repeatedly.

EXTREME CLOSE UP ELLIOTTS FACE

Hes overwhelmed. But glad to be awake...

Gets out of bed. His room, a mess. Rifles through his stuffto find clothes.

ZIP! Puts on a distinct red sweater. Exits.

DISSOLVE TO:


3/22

INT. SUNLAND HIGH SCHOOL - HALLWAY - MORNING

Elliott saunters inside...

The hallways, packed with a diverse population of students.They chatter among themselves. Evade Elliott.

Elliott goes to his locker. Covers his face with his hoodie.Avoids utter contact with the world.

CLOSE UP ON ELLIOTTS LOCKER

PICTURE: A drawing of Elliott and E.T. holding hands.Elliott, dressed in a brides dress. E.T., in a tuxedo.Scribbled on top: LOSER! ALIEN FREAK!

Elliott disregards it. Hes used to this. CRUMPLES the paper.

SCHOOL BULLY (O.S.)

Wheres your alien boyfriend,Freak?!

SHOT OF STUDENTS IN HALLWAY

They all laugh. Point at Elliott. Make offensive gestures.

Elliott walks away. Eludes the pack of hooligans. Wishes hewas invisible.

DISSOLVE TO:

EST SHOT - SUNLAND STREETS - DAWN

Elliott strolls alone through suburban streets.

VROOOOOM!! A car turns his way. The window goes down. A handcomes out--


SPLAT!

Food splatters all over Elliotts face.

Laughter grows from inside the car. One of the CAR THUGSsticks out his hand. Mocks E.T.s finger movements.

CAR THUGElliott, go home!

Hahaha. The laughter continues.

EXTREME CLOSE UP ON ELLIOTTS FACE

2.


4/22

His dispirited face fills the screen...

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. ELLIOTTS HOUSE - NIGHT

Elliott enters, jaded.

ON THE COUCH

Elliotts mother, MARY (40s) Older, but still beautiful.Reads a Time Magazine issue.

MARYHey, Sweetheart. How was school?

Elliott eludes conversation. Dashes upstairs. She becomesdejected. Puts the magazine down.

CLOSE UP ON MAGAZINE

Inside the magazine, a book: Reading the Signs: Inside aTeenagers Mind

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. ELLIOTTS ROOM - NIGHT

SHOT OF ELLIOTT

Pressed against the window. Gazes at the night sky. PRESSEShis finger against the glass. Touches the stars.

ELLIOTTWhere are you...?

RING! RING! RING!

Elliotts phone. It startles him. Lets it ring...


He gets a hunch.

DISSOLVE TO:

EST SHOT - SUNLAND FOREST - NIGHT

SHOT OF ELLIOTT RIDING HIS BIKE

Speeds through the abyss forest. Pedals to the top of a hill.

WIDE SHOT OF ELLIOTT IN THE FOREST

3.


5/22

ZIP! Opens his backpack. Takes out: the Communicator. Dusty,but functional.

BEEP! BEEP! DING!

Elliott PUSHES the buttons. Messages E.T.

TIME LAPSE

Elliott continues dialing the Communicator.

BEEP! BEEP! DING!

Nothing...

CLOSE UP ON ELLIOTT

He grows aggravated. Yells. POW! Throws the Communicator onthe ground.

ELLIOTTCome on!!

Elliott SHOUTS into the vast dark sky.

ELLIOTT (CONTD)Send something! Anything!

He weeps. BANGS his fists on the dirt.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. SUNLAND HIGH SCHOOL - CLASSROOM - AFTERNOON

SHOT OF ELLIOTT

Slouches in his chair. His red hoodie covers his head.

WIDE SHOT OF CLASSROOM

The TEACHER babbles about The Odyssey. Notices Elliottsleeping. CHUCKS his whiteboard eraser at him...

WHACK! Hits Elliott on the head. Elliott JUMPS.

TEACHERSo, Elliott... What was Odysseussprimal goal in The Odyssey?

Elliott focuses. Ponders.

TEACHER (CONTD)Elliott, what was his primal goal?

4.


6/22

Elliott gets an idea.

A flashback occupies his mind...

CLOSE UP ON ELLIOTTS BACKPACK

BEEP! BEEP! DING!

Elliotts backpack lights up.

ELLIOTTTo go home... To come home.

Swiftly, Elliott picks up his things. BOLTS out of the room--

TEACHERElliott?!

DISSOLVE TO:

EST SHOT - SUNLAND SUBURBAN STREETS - DAWN

Elliott dashes through the streets. Runs towards the forest.Before he enters, the School Bullies spot him.

SHOT OF SCHOOL BULLIES

SCHOOL BULLYWell Boys, look who it is...


Complete fear. The School Bullies chase him.

Elliott RUNS. The School Bullies follow him into theforest...

EST SHOT - SUNLAND FOREST - CONTINUOUS

They grab Elliott. PUSH him down. Elliott SHOUTS.

ELLIOTT

Help!! Help!!

ANGLE ON SCHOOL BULLIES

They continue to harass Elliott. Hes helpless...

SCHOOL BULLYYour alien boyfriend isnt here tohelp you!

5.


7/22

CLOSE ON BACKPACK

BEEP! BEEP! DING!

Lights go off from inside Elliotts backpack.

SCHOOL BULLY (CONTD)What is that?

The School Bully open Elliotts backpack: theCommunicator.

SCHOOL BULLY (CONTD)Is this some kind of alien weapon?Plan on destroying our planet,Freak?!

ANGLE ON ELLIOTTS FACE

FEAR...

SCHOOL BULLY (CONTD)Looks like we gotta teach thisfreak a lesson - Hold him, Boys.

Elliott CRIES for help--

A LARGE SHADOW APPEARS ABOVE THEIR HEADS.

Sounds of BEEPS. LOUD engines.

CLOSE UP ON SCHOOL BULLIES FACES

Theyre terrified. Whats happening?

The unknown object descends to the ground.

ANGLE ON UNKNOWN OBJECT

Bright luminous lights flash: Its a spaceship.

BACK TO SCHOOL BULLIES

They FREEZE. Not a single movement.

BACK TO SPACESHIP

The massive door compresses open. Reveals:

A Small Black Figure.

BACK TO SCHOOL BULLIES

They stare at the tiny silhouette. Squeal in high-pitch. TheSchool Bullies sprint out of the forest--

6.


8/22

BACK TO SPACESHIP

The Small Black Figure looms forward. Reveals itself in thelight: Its E.T.

ANGLE ON ELLIOTT

Hes Confused. Happy. Angry. Doesnt know what to say. E.T.runs to his aid. Speaks with acute sluggishness.

E.T.E.T. back home, Elliott.

ELLIOTTYoure too late. Go away.

Elliott gets up. Walks away.

E.T.

Wheres Elliott going?

PUSH IN on Elliott as he turns around--

ELLIOTTAway from you!

E.T.E.T. needs Elliotts help.

E.T. extends his senile hand.

ELLIOTT

Help? You need help?! Im the onewho needed help! - My life has beena living nightmare because of you!

E.T.E.T. sorry he could not helpElliott. E.T. has big problem.Family has been captured by humans.Taken away for experiments.

Elliotts anger cools off...

ELLIOTTWhat do you mean?

E.T.They were taken to Palms MarineBase - We were in the forestcollecting plants for our planet.Men in Black took them away. E.T.was too late. They dont have muchtime, Elliott.

7.


9/22

Elliott cant say no. Cares too much.

ELLIOTTHow can I help?

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. PALMS MARINE BASE - NIGHT

A droughty desolate Government facility. Heavily patrolled byGUARDS holding sub-machine guns.

ANGLE ON ELLIOTT AND E.T.

Elliott and E.T. hide behind massive boulders. Eludeintrusion. They watch the Door Guard.

ELLIOTTSo whats your plan? This place is

loaded with Guards.

E.T.Elliott, not worry.

E.T. moves his gangly hands in a geometrical shape.

CLOSE UP ON DEAD PLANTS AND DESICCATED TURF

The dry barren ground RUMBLES. Dry flowers RADIATE. The deadgreenery resurrects. The plants turn into a lush verdantgarden...

ANGLE ON DOOR GUARD

Hes stupefy.

DOOR GUARDWhat the?--

The Door Guard walks to the garden as if it were treasure...Elliott stares at E.T. in mirth. That was cool.

The Door Guard smells the aroma of the exquisite plant life.

DOOR GUARD (CONTD)Gosh, it smells so pretty.

The Door Guard PLUCKS the roses off the ground. SingsSomewhere Over the Rainbow. Becomes completely euphoric.

DOOR GUARD (CONTD)Soommmeewheerreee oooooover theraiiinboooww...

8.


10/22

BACK TO ELLIOTT AND E.T.

ELLIOTT(whispering)

Come on, nows our chance!

They head inside the base.

EST SHOT OF INSIDE THE BASE

The facility, immense. Guards all over. Lights. Guns. Watchtowers. The whole-nine-yards.

ANGLE ON ELLIOTT AND E.T. BEHIND A MILITARY TRUCK

Elliott notices a MAN in a white coat enter a building.

ELLIOTT (CONTD)Bingo.

INT. MARINE BASE FACILITY - NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER)

Elliott and E.T. enter the structure. Watch their cover.


His eyes circumspect the place. Sees a sign on top of a door:Lunch Room. Elliott and E.T. dash inside--

INT. MARINE BASE FACILITY - BREAK ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Elliott and E.T. duck under the tables.

ELLIOTTNow what?

E.T. points at a white coat on a hangar. The shiny name platereads: Dr. Connor - Radiologist

Elliott thinks for a second...

ELLIOTT (CONTD)Well, white isnt really my color.

They run to the coat hangar. Put it on.

ELLIOTT (CONTD)Its too long.

E.T.We dont have much time, Elliott.

SWOOSH! Door OPENS--

9.


11/22

ELLIOTT(whispering)

Someones coming! Quick, getinside.

Elliott opens the coat. E.T. looks at Elliott, perplexed.

ELLIOTT (CONTD)Trust me...

Elliott CLIMBS on top of E.T.s shoulders.

ELLIOTT (CONTD)Just dont drop me!

Elliott and E.T. WOBBLE out the room.

INT. MARNE BASE FACILITY - CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS


They sway left. Right. Try to keep their balance.

ELLIOTT(speaking inside the coat)

We gotta find a map to see wheretheyre keeping your family.

ANGLE ON BURLY GUARD WALKING UP THE CORRIDOR

Elliott sees him. Becomes nervous.

ELLIOTT (CONTD)Were just gonna have to ask...

The Burly Guard approaches them--

CLOSE UP ON ELLIOTT

Elliott gulps. Speaks in a deep-bassy voice.

ELLIOTT (CONTD)Excuse me there... Strong...Muscly, Hall Monitor.

CLOSE UP ON BURLY GUARDS FACE

An irritated look.

ELLIOTT (CONTD)...I mean Patrol Guard.

Beat.

10.


12/22

ELLIOTT (CONTD)Wheres the nearest map of thisfine facility?

The Burly Guard stares at Elliott without blinking. Elliottstarts to sweat heavily.

BURLY GUARD(thick Russian accent)

Over there...

The Burly Guard points his muscular arm down the corridor.WHIP. PAN. ZOOM. A map inside a metallic frame.

BACK TO ELLIOTT

ELLIOTTGreat. Thank you. Keep up the goodwork.

Elliott walks away. The Burly Guard stares at Elliotts tinyfeet. Rolls his eyes.

Elliott scrutinizes the base map.

ELLIOTT (CONTD)Now, which level is it?

CLOSE ON ELLIOTTS FINGER

Reads through all the levels... BINGO. Finds it.

ELLIOTT (CONTD)Level 5! The Confinement Room!

DR. ENYART (O.S.)Dr. Connors?

Elliott turns around, befuddled. Behind him, DR. ENYART(40s) Gray hair. Thick spectacles. Chubby.

DR. ENYART (CONTD)Sorry to intrude, but Ive heard somuch about you - Good Golly, youre

a lot taller than they surmised?

ANGLE ON ELLIOTT

Turns around. Dr. Enyarts face goes grave as he studiesElliotts youthful face.

DR. ENYART (CONTD)And a lot younger too...

11.


13/22

Elliott keeps it cool. Gives a fake smile. Deepens his voiceagain.

ELLIOTTOh, well...

Elliott squints. Peers at Dr. Enyarts name plate.

ELLIOTT (CONTD)...Thank you, Dr. Enyart - Youknow, always take your vitamins anddrink your milk. Thats my secret.

Dr. Enyart remains mesmerized at Elliotts features. Examinesevery inch of his face.

SCREECHING FEEDBACK. A voice interrupts--

FEMALE VOICE (V.O.)

WILL DR. ENYART AND DR. CONNORSPLEASE REPORT TO THE RADIATION ROOMIMMEDIATELY.

STATIC. The message repeats.

DR. ENYARTOh, thats us. Better get going!

Elliott panics.

ELLIOTTUm... You go ahead. I gotta take a

whiz before getting my hands dirty.

DR. ENYARTRight. See you inside.

Dr. Enyart walks away.

ELLIOTTI actually do have to take awhiz...

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. MARINE BASE FACILITY - MENS RESTROOM - MOMENTS LATER

SHOT OF ELLIOTTS BACK

He stands at the urinal.

ELLIOTT(to E.T.)

Dont move.

12.


14/22

CLOSE ON DOOR

SWOOSH! A SKINNY GUARD appears.

Elliott turns tense. The Skinny Guard stands on the urinalnext to Elliott.

SKINNY GUARDHows it hanging, Doc?

ELLIOTTIts hanging.

E.T.s hand gradually RISES from inside the coat. His bonyhand becomes visible.

The Skinny Guard turns to Elliott. Looks down...

SHOT OF E.T.S HAND STICKING OUT

E.T.s stomach radiates red. The Skinny Guard GAPES. Whatthe...?


Ummm?

ELLIOTT (CONTD)Too much cranberry juice.

ZIP! The Skinny Guard closes his zipper. Moves to the fourthurinal without a word.

DISSOLVE TO:

MONTAGE:

- Elliott and E.T. travel through the levels of the facility.

- They become more and more tired as they walk the endlessstairs. Sweat profusely. Should've taken the elevator.

- Finally, they reach Level 5.

END OF MONTAGE

INT. MARINE BASE FACILITY - LEVEL 5 (MOMENTS LATER)

LONG ANGLE ON ELLIOTT AND E.T.

They walk down the long corridor, wobbling.

In front of Level 5 door, a FAT GUARD with large a rifle.

13.


15/22

Politely, Elliott nods: Hello. The Fat Guard does the same.

ANGLE ON FAT GUARD

Studies Elliott as he sways towards the door. E.T. is clearytired...

FAT GUARDToo much to drink, Doc?

A sweaty Elliott remains calm.

ELLIOTTHectic day.

FAT GUARDI feel ya.

Elliott takes out his keycard. Swipes the card on the door.

RED LIGHT. Doesnt open. SWIPES again. Nothing.

FAT GUARD (CONTD)You need a Level 5 clearance, Doc.

ELLIOTTRight...

Long beat.

From inside Level 5 door: LOUD ANIMAL GROWLS. SOUND of metalbars being hit. Elliott JUMPS back.

ANGLE ON FAT GUARD

BAM! Hits the door with the butt of his rifle--

FAT GUARDShut up in there!!Filthy creatures.

Elliott eyes the Fat Guard: Whats in there?

ELLIOTTI forgot my Level 5 card upstairs?

Think you can open the door for me?

The Fat Guard smirks.

FAT GUARDFor you, Doc? Of course.

ELLIOTT(relieved)

Great...

14.


16/22

FAT GUARDJust buy me a drink sometime.

The Fat Guard swipes his card. DING! GREEN LIGHT. Dooropens...

FAT GUARD (CONTD)Good luck in there.

CLOSE UP ON ELLIOTTS EYES

THE CONFINEMENT ROOM

A room filled with animals. Locked behind bars. An experimentroom. Elliotts eyes express horror.

COMPRESSION. Door CLOSES behind them. LOUD CACOPHONIES.GROWLS from the animals.

SHOT OF ELLIOTT

From the coat, E.T. sees the savagery...

ELLIOTTLets find them.

CLOSE ON E.T.S BELLY

Radiates red. In the distance, red also RADIATES.

ELLIOTT (CONTD)Over there!


They run to a compact cell. The red radiation becomesbrighter.

ANGLE ON COMPACT CELL

Inside the cell, four small figures: E.T.s family.

E.T. SCREECHES in joy. Sticks his finger inside the cell.Makes contact. Hes happy.

Elliott tries to open the cell door--

ELLIOTT (CONTD)(grunting)

Its concrete shut. We need akeycard.

Swipes the keycard. Wont open.

15.


17/22

ELLIOTT (CONTD)I cant open it. Im sorry, E.T.

Beat. E.T. knows what do to...

E.T.

Elliott, move back.

ELLIOTTWhat?

E.T.Trust me.

Elliott stands back. E.T. raises his gauntly hands. Movesthem in a pattern.

CLOSE ON METAL TABLE

A metal table LEVITATES. Spins round and round. E.T. uses allhis might-- SLAM! BANGS the table against the cell. Bends thebars.

ELLIOTTThat was so kick a--

SIRENS! Red lights go off.

FEMALE VOICE (V.O.)(over the intercom)

INTRUDER ALERT! INTRUDER ALERT!

ELLIOTTWe gotta go!

E.T.s family scatters out the cell. Head for the door.Before leaving, E.T. stops. A gloomy look on his face. Theother animals cry out....

ELLIOTT (CONTD)What are you doing? Lets go?!

E.T.S POV: All the animals wail in despair. CatchesElliotts attention...

CLOSE UP ELLIOTTS FACE

Nods his head at E.T. They open the cages. Free the animals.

ANGLE ON ANIMALS

An array of animals jump out of their cells. The main dooropens. The Fat Guard appears--

16.


18/22

FAT GUARDWhats going on in here?!

CLOSE UP ON FAT GUARDS EYES

They widen. ENTIRELY.

The stampede of wild animals TRAMPLE the Fat Guard.

ELLIOTTLets go!!

MONTAGE:

Cue music...

-- LEVEL 4. Elliott, E.T., and the animals run upstairs.Guards run away in panic as they see the hurricane ofanimals.

-- The animals run left. E.T. and Elliott run right. Elliottgoes after them.

-- LEVEL 3. Guards tell them to freeze. A group of rats climbinto the Guards pants. Tickle them. While they laugh, an apeKICKS the Guards.

-- LEVEL 2. The group grows tired. The ape stops running.Pounds on a vending machine. Chows on the alluring snacks.Elliott goes back for him.

-- LEVEL 1. Elliott looks back to make sure no one is left

behind. All he sees is a trail of animal feces...

END OF MONTAGE

EXT. MARINE BASE FACILITY - NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER)

The escapees DASHES out. Run to freedom.

ANGLE ON ELLIOTT

ELLIOTTWe are almost out!

The group reaches the main entrance. A FLOP-FLOP-SLOP sound.

ANGLE ON SKY

A helicopter appears. Its bright lights illuminate theground.

17.


19/22

EST SHOT - DESERT - CONTINUOUS

The group disperses different directions. Theyre free.


They run towards E.T.s spaceship. The family trails behindthem, fatigued.

The helicopter descends closer to them.

HELICOPTER PILOT (O.S.)(over the megaphone)

SURRENDER THE TROLLS OR WE WILL USEDEADLY FORCE!


Theyre close to the spaceship.

ELLIOTTCome on, almost there!

The helicopter accelerates. Its inches behind them.

ANGLE ON E.T.S FAMILY

One of the trolls stumbles. Falls behind. The rest keeprunning...

ANGLE ON HELICOPTER

It lands on the ground. Two ARMY MEN in dark clothing CHARGEout of the chopper--

ARMY MAN 1We got one down! Keep the enginerunning.

The Army Men go after the troll.


They reach the ship. Elliott TURNS around-- The Army Men get

close to the troll.

BACK TO ELLIOTT

Looks at the ship. Back at the helpless troll. What should hedo?

BACK TO TROLL AND ARMY MEN

18.


20/22

The Army Men are ready for the kill-- POW! Elliott THROWShimself against the Army Men. They all go down.

ELLIOTT(aching)

Run! Run!

ANGLE ON THE TROLL

The troll gets up. Scurries to the spaceship.

BACK TO ELLIOTT

The Army Men get up. Hold Elliott captive.

ARMY MAN 2Big mistake, Kid. Youre gonna bedoing some serious time.

Elliott resists. They force him into the chopper.

ELLIOTTYoull be hearing from my lawyer!

The Army Men laugh.

ARMY MAN 1Shut up and get inside, Braveheart.

ELLIOTTS POV:E.T.s spaceship ascends. Leaves Elliottbehind.

ARMY MAN 1 (CONTD)Well, there they go...

ELLIOTTE.T.!

Elliott continues to resist.

CLOSE UP ON WINDOW OF SPACESHIP

E.T.s face fills the glass. Watches as Elliott is takenaway...

BACK TO CHOPPER

Inside the chopper, they hand-cuff Elliott to a seat. Thechopper RATTLES. Ascends rapidly.

ARMY MAN 2(to Helicopter Pilot)

What are you doing?! I didnt saygo?!

19.


21/22

HELICOPTER PILOTIts not me! This darn thing isrising by itself!

The helicopter ascends higher...

HELICOPTER PILOT (CONTD)This thing is possessed. Im out ofhere!

The Helicopter Pilot JUMPS OUT--

SPLAT! Hits the ground. Elliott remains in the back seat,baffled. Whats going on?

The Army Men leap off. Scream like little girls.

LOUD CACOPHONIES! ENGINE NOISES.

ANGLE ON E.T.S SPACESHIP

Elliott sees the spaceship appear from the barren hills.


ELLIOTT(smiling)

E.T.

SHOT OF E.T.S FAMILY

Together, they use their powers to control the helicopter.

ANGLE ON SPACESHIP AND HELICOPTER

They soar through the sky. The sun rises in the horizon.

DISSOLVE TO:

EST SHOT - SUNLAND FOREST - MORNING (LATER)

Both ships descend to the floor. Theyre home.

ANGLE ON E.T.S SPACESHIP

E.T. walks out the spaceship.

ANGLE ON HELICOPTER

Elliott frees himself from the handcuffs.

EST SHOT OF ELLIOTT AND E.T.

20.


22/22

ELLIOTTWe did it.

They smile at each other. A tender moment.

ELLIOTT (CONTD)

Im sorry about earlier. I didntknow--

E.T.Its okay, Elliott.

ELLIOTTIm still sorry, Pal. But Im sureyou have to get going now...

E.T. nods.

E.T.

Family go home, but E.T. stay.

ELLIOTTWhat?

E.T.Elliott is family. E.T. stay withfamily. E.T. stay home.

Elliott sheds a tear.

ELLIOTTIm so glad youre back.

Elliott gives E.T. an unbreakable hug.

E.T.E.T. is back home, Elliott. Backhome...

FADE OUT.

21.

e.t. tv-series (script)

Documents