How ET Exists In The Star Wars Universe
The Star Wars franchise has captivated audiences for decades with its rich lore and imaginative universe. It’s appeared in countless pop culture references, including a scene in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial where a kid is dressed up as Yoda for Halloween. But did you know that ET is also from the Star Wars universe and is a member of the alien species called Asogian who were involved with the Galactic Senate on Naboo?
According to Wookiepedia (the Star Wars version of Wikipedia), Greblieps was a member of the Asogian species who served as a senator in the Galactic Republic’s Galactic Senate. He’s featured in Star Wars: Episode 1—The Phantom Menace and looks an awful lot like someone else we know.
Greblieps is short in stature and has leathered skin that stretches across his body, showing off his ribcage, a long and extended neck, and large eyes—he looks identical to ET, therefore officially making ET’s species canon to the Star Wars universe.
Greblieps’ cameo in Star Wars was a brief easter egg that George Lucas stuck in to acknowledge one of his friend Steven Spielberg’s greatest movies, but by including it in the film, he also officially made ET a member of the Star Wars franchise.
The scene is short and occurs during a critical session in the Senate Building on Coruscant when Grebleips witnessed Queen Padmé Amidala’s plea for aid against the Trade Federation invasion of Naboo. Alongside other senators, Grebleips and two other Asogians expressed support by throwing their arms up in the air.
George Lucas and Steven Speilberg had been long-time friends when Lucas released the first Star Wars movie. In fact, Lucas and Speilberg went on vacation together during the premiere of A New Hope because Lucas was convinced the movie was going to fail, and he needed to get his mind off it.
Little did he know that the movie would soon become one of the most popular franchises ever created, that Speilberg would go on to make one of the best children’s movies ever made, and that the two universes would be tied together with ET being recognized as a Star Wars species.
Greblieps’ (ET) cameo in Star Wars was a brief easter egg that George Lucas stuck in to acknowledge one of his friend Steven Spielberg’s greatest movies
What makes the ET-Star Wars connection even more intriguing is that Speilberg included Yoda in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. In the film, Elliot takes ET out on Halloween, and when ET sees a kid dressed as Yoda, he points and says, “Home!” implying that he’s either met Yoda or another of his species. This means that not only is ET from the Star Wars universe, but in Elliot’s universe, they still have the Star Wars movies.
In reality, ET existing in the Star Wars universe is simply a nod between two friends. Since Speilberg included Yoda in E.T., Lucas wanted to return the favor by including one of Speilberg’s creations in the next Star Wars movie he made. In fact, the name Grebleips comes from spelling Speilberg’s name backward.
What makes the ET-Star Wars connection even more intriguing is that Speilberg included Yoda in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
Given the references to ET in the Star Wars universe, fans have eagerly speculated how the two universes could be connected. One theory suggests that the Star Wars universe and the ET universe exist as separate but interconnected realities within a larger multiverse. This hypothesis allows for characters like Grebleips and ET to coexist within their respective universes, creating an intricate web of possibilities.
While the existence of ET in the Star Wars universe remains speculative, the inclusion of Grebleips, the nods to E.T., and the clever wordplay with Spielberg’s name invite fans to indulge in exciting possibilities.
The connections between these two beloved franchises spark the imagination and highlight the enduring influence of Star Wars on popular culture. Whether we ever witness a true encounter between ET and Star Wars characters or not, the speculative nature of their connection adds an extra layer of fascination to these beloved worlds.
