2007's Transformers, directed by Michael Bay, is widely known to be inspired by the animated series from 1984, however, the live-action movie’s concept also was inspired by the story of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. While the classic first Transformers movie is known for its extensive CGI, high-stakes car chases, and robot battles, it takes a page out of a family classic from the '80s. Some elements of ET, also produced by Steven Spielberg, were used for the basic concept of Transformers in their attempt to humanize these otherworldly stories about aliens who arrive on Earth.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial follows an alien who, while on a trip to Earth with his companions, becomes separated from them and ends up in the home of Elliot, a 10-year-old boy. E.T. and Elliot become friends, but the government becomes aware of E.T. and attempts to apprehend him. Elliot works with his older brother and younger sister to help E.T. connect with his companions and get him back to his ship before it’s too late. The first Transformers film, starring Shia LaBeouf, shares some similar themes as it follows the aftermath of a war between the Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, and the evil Decepticons, led by Megatron.
How The First Transformers Is Similar To E.T.
Transformers and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial share a number of similarities. Both original concepts were created in the '80s, with E.T. releasing in 1982 and the original Transformers being a toy line made by Hasbro in 1984. Both films follow stories about a boy encountering alien life and befriending it while also attempting to keep it from opposing forces. Both boys foster a deep connection with their new alien friends. Elliot sees E.T. as his best friend, and Sam connects to the Transformers' Bumblebee, his first car. In their respective films, Sam and Elliot both act as the audience surrogate, experiencing the wonder and the magic of aliens coming to Earth, as well as the dangers that come with them.
Both Bumblebee and E.T. travel to Earth originally with a team of companions from whom they become separated when they first arrive. Their human counterparts help reconnect each to their teams. Both storylines have a government intervention element that serves as an antagonistic force. And both movies show E.T. and Bumblebee with advanced powers that help their respective humans enhance their life in some way. Elliot connects to E.T. on an emotional and physical level, while Sam gets a tricked-out Transformers car with self-awareness.
Why Using E.T For Transformers Was Such A Good Thing
Transformers could’ve easily become a story aimed at adults, much like similar films in the genre, but the story being inspired by the '80s family classic gives it more appeal to wider audiences. The original animated Transformers series mostly followed the journey of the robots with some minor human interactions, so the movie needed a more personal emotional encounter to help audiences connect with the semi-faceless Transformers, some of whom, like Bumblebee, can't talk, and who mostly only fight each other. Using E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial as a blueprint for the emotional core of Transformers allows the movie to have more family-oriented, science-fiction layering to build the heart of the Transformers franchise: a story about the bond between a boy and his alien friend.