Is E.T. Actually Based on Satyajit Ray’s Untold Story?

The enduring debate surrounding the origins of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial received fresh fuel after an intriguing claim: could Steven Spielberg's famous film have been inspired by the unproduced script of acclaimed Indian director, Satyajit Ray?

The Genesis of the Script

Nearly a quarter of a century after Satyajit Ray's death, the jury remains out on whether a script written by the celebrated director in 1967 was the underpinning of Spielberg's hit movie. The story of The Alien involves celebrated sci-fi writer Arthur C. Clarke, Hollywood legends like Peter Sellers, Marlon Brando, and James Coburn, producer Ismail Merchant, and Columbia Pictures.

The Beginning of the Friendship and the Script

Ray and Clarke started corresponding after the director wrote to the author in 1964 to seek his endorsement for a sci-fi film club in Kolkata. During a screening of 2001, based on Clarke’s novel, Ray spoke of his wish to make a film about an alien and a young boy. The script, titled “Bankubabur Bandhu” (Bankubabu's Friend), was based on a short story Ray had written for his family magazine, Sandesh in 1962.

Contrary to most sci-fi projects from the era, Ray’s script featured a benign humanoid alien befriending a young village boy named Haba, setting it apart. However, early writing and production issues began to emerge in 1967, almost as soon as the script was finished.

Challenges and Conflicts

Once the script was ready, Peter Sellers joined Ray, initially intrigued by the project. However, misgivings about the collaboration quickly arose. Sellers’ overwhelming focus on his reputation and comedic value contrasted starkly with the serious intentions of Ray and Wilson, leading to several points of contention:

Ray and Wilson had arranged the script under joint copyright, which bears the wrath of Wilson, who described Ray as a “thief and slanderer.” During a trip to Hollywood in June 1967, Ray encountered numerous issues, including an advance payment from Columbia but no agreement between the two men. Wilson also kept a significant amount of money and positioned himself as an associate producer. Ray's frustration culminated in a poignant letter to Sellers, expressing his disappointment with the project. Bruising revelations and conflicts led to the eventual abandonment of the project. No agreement or production progress was made.

Potential Inspiration for Spielberg's Hit

As the years passed and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial soared to popularity, there was renewed interest in the possible influence of Ray's script. Notably, many pointed out the striking similarities between the central relationship in E.T. and Ray's The Alien.

Despite Spielberg's denials, citing his youth when the script was circulating in Hollywood, there are several key observations:

E.T.'s theme of an alien and a young boy's friendship mirrors the narrative in The Alien. The plot development of both films shares a similar trajectory, with the alien leaving the boy behind, awaiting his return. The film's themes of loss and longing, especially in the context of the human-alien bond, are strikingly similar.

Conclusion

While the official position of both Ray and Spielberg is that no direct influence occurred, the lingering similarities in plot and narrative structure remain open to interpretation. Satyajit Ray's unproduced script continues to be a topic of discussion and intrigue within the film community, highlighting the enduring legacy of both his work and Steven Spielberg's masterpiece.

References

Source: Did Steven Spielberg steal Satyajit Ray's story for E.T.?