E.T. and Yoda Could Have Been Friends at One Point

As far as science-fiction works go, Star Wars is, for many, the ultimate sci-fi franchise of all time. It started off as an ambitious project that was initially not that well-received, but it became a classic that absolutely everyone loves and a franchise that raised generations, as well as influenced a lot of people.

At the same time, you’ll also probably know that E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is one of the most popular standalone sci-fi films of all time. This beloved children’s sci-fi movie about an alien who ends up on Earth and just wants to go back home captured the hearts of millions around the world.

Star Wars was created by George Lucas, while E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a film by Steven Spielberg. Lucas and Spielberg are great friends, and they influenced each other a lot, which is why the two of them used to put Easter Eggs from each other’s films in their movies. And one such Easter Egg, or – rather – two of them, might hint at a very unlikely galactical friendship!

When E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was released in 1982, Lucas had already made two Star Wars films – A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. In the latter, we also saw the debut of legendary Jedi Master Yoda, who would go on to become one of the franchise’s most important characters.

But, if you remember the Halloween scene from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, you will probably remember a boy wearing a Yoda costume for Halloween and E.T. reacting to him as if he knew him.

This implies two things. First, Star Wars was a part of the universe of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and – at the same time – E.T. knew Yoda.

But, if E.T. had not seen the movie, how could he have known Yoda? Okay, he might have identified him as an alien and just went for it regardless, but the scene implies that he knew Yoda, or someone from his species. E.T.’s age was never specified, so it could very well be that he did come into contact with Yoda’s race at one point. Here is the scene:

This was a clear nod from one friend to another and, sadly, that’s just what it is. There is no deeper meaning here, and as far as the universes are concerned, this is not a direct connection, regardless of all the theories you’ll find online, which is a bit of a bummer. But, nevertheless, it does end here.

Almost 20 years later, George Lucas decided to return the favor in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, which came out in 1999. In the movie, there is a scene from the Senate that depicts a group of Senators that look exactly like E.T.!

Nothing about them is revealed, but the scene also confirms the above theory that Yoda and E.T. could have been friends or that E.T. knew someone from Yoda’s species. Here is the scene in question:

As said, this means nothing in terms of the continuity, as this was just a funny nod, and as Lucas revealed in a newspaper article from 1999, it was done at the suggestion of Spielberg himself. And with this, our trip down trivia lane is concluded as far as this story is concerned.

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