E.T. as an octopus. adam&eveDDB has borrowed the story – and the emotive power – of E.T., right up to the famous film’s final scene for Disney’s Christmas film, The Boy & The Octopus. It has borrowed the film’s underlying message. E.T. is the ultimate diversity symbol and letting him return to his world is the ultimate gift of generosity and love, and it has borrowed the film’s joy, all of which tie in with the spirit of Christmas.
The campaign has also borrowed the directing brilliance of Taika Waititi.
Yes, E.T. is on Disney Plus and the film is peppered with other Disney references. A boy discovers a curious octopus has attached to his head during a seaside vacation. After returning home, the boy forms a true friendship with the octopus and introduces his new friend to his life, that includes playing with his Jedi light saber and Buzz Lightyear action figure from Toy Story, and imagining Santa Claus’ route around the world with the map on his wall.
He then shares the joy of a Christmas holiday with the hidden under his Mickey Mouse beanie. (Note the Disney references.) While watching the Disney holiday classic, The Santa Clause (1994), the boy comes to understand the extent of the octopus’ desire to explore everything the world has to offer, and he sets in motion a plan to make it happen. Disney fans might also notice references to films such as Moana and Lilo and Stitch. A melodic rendition of Part of Your World from Disney’s The Little Mermaid can be heard throughout the short, highlighting the octopus’ desire to explore the world above. The new version was recorded live by a 60-piece orchestra and mixed in the legendary recording studio, Abbey Road.
The global short film was created by adam&eveDDB with Untold Studios, and produced by Hungry Man. It is running on YouTube.
The Boy & The Octopus is the latest creative collaboration between Waititi and The Walt Disney Company. Waititi directed Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), Searchlight Pictures’ Jojo Rabbit (2019) and Next Goal Wins (2023), as well as executive produced Hulu’s Reservation Dogs, What We Do in the Shadows, and the forthcoming limited series, Interior Chinatown.
