Drew Barrymore brought back her E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial character Gertie during Jessica Chastain’s November 10th appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show.
Chastain, an Oscar winner for The Eyes of Tammy Faye, was visiting to discuss her new Netflix thriller, Heartland.
Barrymore was seven when Steven Spielberg’s film opened in June 1982. She played Elliott’s younger sister opposite Henry Thomas in the story of children helping a stranded alien return home.
The show shared the exchange on its official Instagram account the day before the broadcast, inviting viewers to watch the full conversation on Tuesday.
Chastain Gets a Surprise From Gertie and E.T.
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When Chastain began explaining her affection for the movie, Barrymore asked her to pause and reached behind the couch for her props. She retrieved a mannequin head holding a blonde pigtail wig decorated with pink bows, according to PEOPLE.
As Entertainment Weekly described, Barrymore tied up her own hair and put on the wig as a life-size E.T. figure was rolled onto the stage. Chastain watched the preparations and exclaimed, “No, you are not doing this!”
Barrymore laughed about how strange she felt reviving the look as an adult. Chastain immediately reassured her, saying the moment was wonderful and that this playful side was part of what she loved about her host. She added that she had never imagined meeting Gertie.
When Barrymore invited a question for Gertie, Chastain had a request inspired by the scene in which the little girl dresses E.T. as an elderly woman. “Next time I come here can Gertie give me a makeover?” she asked, according to CBS Media Ventures. Barrymore recognized the reference and enthusiastically agreed.
Barrymore Previously Surprised Ryan Gosling With the Wig
Barrymore told Chastain that Gosling was the last person she had worn the wig for. His appearance aired March 19th, while he was promoting Project Hail Mary.
That exchange involved another extraterrestrial: Rocky, Gosling’s alien companion in the film. During the show’s Fast Five segment, Rocky prompted Barrymore to teach her guest Gertie’s scream. She joked that her hairstyle looked more like Cindy Brady, while Gosling called the experience “so surreal.”
Gosling had explained that E.T. helped shape the kind of moviegoing experience he wanted for his own children. He hoped his science-fiction film would offer families a hopeful adventure they could enjoy together, with an audience sharing the same laughter and emotion.
Chastain Sings in Netflix’s Nashville Thriller Heartland
Chastain plays Misty Jones, a retired country star returning to Nashville after 20 years to find her missing niece, rising singer Charlie Heart. According to Netflix, the search leads her through suspects connected to the younger performer’s career.
Shana Feste wrote and directed the film, whose cast includes Garrett Hedlund, Carter Faith, Ross Lynch, Jennifer Nettles and John Hawkes. Faith plays Charlie, with Hedlund as her manager and Lynch as her boyfriend.
Chastain performs her own vocals, including a duet of the title song with Nettles. Heartland arrives on the streaming service November 13th.