'E.T.' 40th Anniversary: Drew Barrymore Is Excited To Celebrate With 'Father Figure' Steven Spielberg

Drew Barrymore talked about her plans to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the iconic 80s movie, "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" with director Steven Spielberg.

"I've actually been speaking with Steven Spielberg about it," she told People on Monday. "He calls my girls who he held when they were babies, and he's known them throughout their lives."

The actor went on to share how her daughters were invited to the celebration, after calling Spielberg a "father figure."

"I do want to revel in this moment with them and include them and celebrate with Steven. He's a big father figure to me," she said. "So he's like, 'We're not missing this moment with your kids.' I'm like, 'Okay. You're right. We can't. You're right.' This is very emotional and full circle."

Barrymore shares her two daughters, Olive and Frankie, with ex-husband Will Kopelman. The 47-year-old revealed that she was the same age as her younger daughter when the movie was released in the early 80s.

"My kids are very close to the age that I was when E.T. came out," Barrymore recalled. "Frankie actually is at the age. She is 7, and she will just be turning 8, and Olive is 9. She'll be turning 10. This is where I'm at, and they love Steven."

"E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" was released on June 11, 1982, featuring Henry Thomas, Robert MacNaughton, Dee Wallace, Peter Coyote, C. Thomas Howell, Erika Eleniak and K.C. Martel. Barrymore played the role of Gertie, a seven-year-old girl who was mischievous and sarcastic.

Previously, the actor opened up about working with Spielberg on the Armchair Expert podcast with Dax Shepard in 2021, talking about how he changed her life.

"I got lucky," Barrymore said. "He single-handedly changed my life. He was also someone who I didn't realize until I was older was also very fatherly. He calls me his first kid. He was appalled by me wearing red lipstick or when I did Playboy. He sent me a note, 'Cover up!'"

On the work front, the actor lent her voice in the movie, "Scream," which was released on Jan. 13. Spielberg, on the other hand, will direct and star in the movie, "The Fabelmans," which is slated to release on Nov. 23.