A Remarkable Turn of Events: How Henry Thomas Snatched the Role of a Lifetime
Henry Thomas improvised a stunning scene during his audition for the role of Elliott in E.T., leading to its acceptance despite initially being considered "awful."
Henry Thomas, famously known for portraying Elliott in one of the legendary science fiction blockbusters ever, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, almost missed the chance of a lifetime due to a rocky audition. However, an impromptu scene left legendary director Steven Spielberg speechless, ultimately casting Thomas on the spot.
The Initial Contenders
Casting director Marci Liroff, who was in charge of finding the cast for the movie, had pinned her hopes on a group of kids for the roles of Elliott and his friends. A key aspect of the casting process involved them playing Dungeons & Dragons together to observe their interaction[2]. Unfortunately, the chosen contender for Elliott didn't quite fit the bill.
So, the search was back on for the perfect Elliott. In 2012, Thomas himself revealed to Today that his audition started off on a tense note as he was an ardent admirer of Raiders of the Lost Ark and yearned to discuss the movie with Spielberg. The young actor even showed up armed with a bullwhip[3].
A Spontaneous Masterpiece
Despite a shaky start, Thomas read for the role, but his performance left much to be desired. It was then that Spielberg came up with an ingenious idea— Thomas was asked to improvise a scene. The scene mimicked the film's climactic moment, with Thomas reacting to E.T. being taken away by government agents[1].
With tears streaming down his face, Thomas delivered a stirring performance that left everyone in the room captivated[1]. Spielberg, moved beyond words, later recounted the moment to Premiere (via The Academy):
In the recorded audition, one can hear Spielberg say, "Ok kid, you got the job," as Thomas, still tearful, realized the implication[1]:
It's challenging to imagine any other actor in the role, and although Thomas has had a commendable career in the film industry, there could never be a part as iconic as Elliott[4]. Clearly, he remains proud of the movie, his contribution to it, and the audition that catapulted him to stardom.
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Henry Thomas' daily blend of discussing movies-and-tv, including his admiration for Raiders of the Lost Ark, almost hindered his audition for the role of Elliott in the legendary science fiction blockbuster, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. However, his improvised scene during the audition, based on the film's climactic moment, showcasing sci-fi-and-fantasy elements, left Steven Spielberg speechless and ultimately secured him the role, highlighting his enduring entertainment career.
