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I think 'E.T.' is a quite extraordinary piece of cinema.

'E.T.' was the movie that made me want to make movies in the first place, and it was the first movie that made me focus on writing instead of what happens in the movie.

The idea of working with Steven Spielberg was very attractive. He's such a master. He knows the language of the camera and of filmmaking, which gives him a great freedom.

I'd love to work with the Coen brothers. And Steven Spielberg. 'E.T.' was big for me.

The influence of Steven Spielberg to my career is unquantifiable. Every day on the set with him is a master class in filmmaking.

I like how you can go back and watch David Lean and John Ford and see the influence that had on Steven Spielberg, especially David Lean, in the camerawork, and yet, you don't watch any Spielberg movie and think of David Lean. Once you're looking for it, you see it all, but it's not in your face.

Steven Spielberg was my idol growing up. I knew that all of his movies have a very specific message and point of view, and the always are really epic.

I'm not a huge Steven Spielberg nerd, but I know about him and I know of his work.

I don't know if I wanted to be Spielberg; I would never say that.

Steven Spielberg is unique. I feel that the kinds of movies he loves are the same kinds of movies that the big mass audience loves. He's very fortunate because he can do the things he naturally likes the best, and he's been very successful.