When The Hollywood Reporter asked screenwriter David Koepp if Disclosure Day takes place in the same cinematic universe as Close Encounters of the Third Kind, he could have just said no.
He didn't.
"Like I'm going to answer that. Sorry, Woodward! You're trying to trick me into confirming something that I don't want to confirm."
That non-denial has sent fans into overdrive. Because when you look at the evidence, the theory isn't just plausible — it's compelling.
The 50th Anniversary Connection
Close Encounters of the Third Kind was released on December 14, 1977. The film transformed science fiction and remains one of the most influential alien contact movies ever made.
Disclosure Day releases on June 12, 2026 — perfectly positioned within the 50th anniversary commemoration window. Close Encounters is returning to theaters to mark the anniversary.
Coincidence? Spielberg doesn't do coincidences.
Evidence For the Sequel Theory
- The timing: Release during the 50th anniversary of Close Encounters
- Koepp's non-denial: Specifically refused to confirm OR deny a connection
- Thematic parallels: Both films deal with ordinary people experiencing alien contact
- The "Split" precedent: Fans compare this to how Split was secretly a sequel to Unbreakable
- Spielberg's history: He considered making a sequel in the early 80s but chose E.T. instead
- Richard Dreyfuss rumors: Some fans believe Dreyfuss will cameo as Roy Neary
What Film Stories Found
According to Film Stories' analysis, while there's nothing in the trailer to directly corroborate the sequel rumors, there's "every sign that it's at least a return to the subject that has fascinated Spielberg since he was a boy."
They note that Spielberg actually considered a Close Encounters sequel or prequel in the early 1980s but ultimately abandoned the idea — choosing instead to make E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
Has he been waiting 45 years to finally tell that story?
The "Stealth Sequel" Theory
The most popular fan theory suggests Disclosure Day could work like M. Night Shyamalan's Split — a film that appeared to be a standalone thriller until its final moments revealed it existed in the same universe as Unbreakable.
Imagine watching Disclosure Day and in the final act, an elderly Richard Dreyfuss appears, revealing that Roy Neary returned from his journey with the aliens — and he's known what's coming for decades.
It would be the cinematic event of the decade.
Spielberg's UFO Legacy
This isn't just about sequels. Disclosure Day marks Spielberg's return to the genre he helped define:
1977: Close Encounters of the Third Kind
1982: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
2005: War of the Worlds
2026: Disclosure Day
At 78, Spielberg is circling back to where it all began. Whether Disclosure Day is a direct sequel, a spiritual successor, or something entirely new — it's clearly a deeply personal project.
The Answer Comes June 12
David Koepp's coy deflection might be marketing genius or genuine secrecy. Either way, it's working. The sequel theory has generated millions of impressions and turned Disclosure Day into one of the most speculated-about films in years.
We'll know the truth when the lights go down on June 12, 2026.
Sources
Parade — Is It a Close Encounters Sequel?
The Hollywood Reporter — Disclosure Day Trailer Revealed
Disclosure Day opens in theaters and IMAX on June 12, 2026.
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