Stranded on Earth: how Night Skies became E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

In an upcoming release, Max Evry offers a detailed look at an intriguing chapter in film history with the book Stranded on Earth: How Night Skies Became E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Set for release in October 2026 by 1984 Publishing, the book explores the evolution of the scrapped project Night Skies into the iconic film E.T.

The development of Night Skies

Night Skies is described as a dark sci-fi horror film originally developed by director Steven Spielberg. The project was never made, but it eventually transformed into the beloved and heartwarming E.T.. Evry’s book examines not only that transformation, but also Spielberg’s long-running fascination with UFOs, which dates back to his teenage years and the film Firelight, made in the 1960s.

A look at Spielberg’s film work

The book traces the path that led to the creation of E.T., including the success of earlier films such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind, released in 1977. The production stages and the challenges that came with developing Night Skies are discussed in depth, alongside the broader story of how these early attempts helped shape Hollywood’s approach to alien stories.

Research and interviews

Evry, who occasionally contributes to various publications, conducted extensive research and new interviews with numerous people closely involved in Spielberg’s projects. That underscores the dedication and thoroughness behind the book. Evry said that the deeper he dug into the story, the bigger and wilder it became.

Impact on Hollywood

The book also reveals how the DNA of Night Skies continued to echo through Hollywood, influencing genre-defining works like Poltergeist and Gremlins, helping shape the explosive sci-fi horror and fantasy stories of the 1980s and beyond. The book’s cover, designed by artist Ian Fried, offers a glimpse of the artistic visions behind the unfilmed Night Skies scenes.

Conclusion

With Stranded on Earth, Max Evry offers a fresh look at Steven Spielberg’s fascinating and wide-ranging journey into alien storytelling. The book promises not just a piece of film history, but also a deep dive into the origins and impact of E.T. on modern cinema.