Henry Thomas Impressed Spielberg with Last-Minute Improv to Land E.T. Role

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In a surprising turn of events, Henry Thomas, the actor portraying Elliott in the iconic sci-fi movie “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial”, came close to missing out on the role of a lifetime due to a nearly failed audition. However, he managed to impress Steven Spielberg with an extraordinary improvised scene, leaving the legendary director with no choice but to cast him instantly.

Thomas Wasn’t The Initial Choice

Based on Marci Liroff, the casting director responsible for selecting actors, she and her team had narrowed down several children they intended to cast as Elliott and his friends in the movie. Liroff elaborated that a crucial part of the auditioning process was getting all the potential candidates together in a room to play Dungeons & Dragons, so they could observe their interactions with each other. Unfortunately, the child they had initially chosen for Elliott didn’t seem suitable. She shared this information at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

In approximately three minutes, it was evident that none of the children took a liking to this young boy during their game. The true nature of each child emerged in play, revealing that he was not well-liked among them, suggesting he did not quite fit within our group.

They returned to reconsider their approach in finding Elliott, as shared by Thomas during his interview with Today in 2012. Initially, Thomas’s audition for the role was a bit awkward because he was an avid fan of Raiders of the Lost Ark and wanted only to discuss making that movie with Spielberg (he even carried a bullwhip on his belt). However, Thomas eventually read for the part, which he described as “awful.” What followed was remarkable, as Spielberg came up with an idea to have Thomas improvise a fictional scene. This is the kind of tale that legends in Hollywood are born from.

“You Got The Part, Kid”

Spielberg detailed, through The Academy, how the pivotal scene unfolded in ‘Premiere’. To create the right atmosphere for Thomas’ reaction, they arranged a scene where E.T., his new friend, was being taken away by the authorities, mirroring the climax of the movie. This emotional scene left everyone speechless with Thomas’ powerful acting, as he delivered it through tears. Speaking about this moment, Spielberg expressed,

The improvisation was so heartfelt and honest that I gave him the part right there.

In the audition video, Spielberg can be heard saying from behind the camera, “Alright, kid, you’ve got the part.” With tears yet to dry on his cheeks, nine-year-old Thomas grinned, understanding instantly the significance of those words.

It was the only part of my career that I knew I had before I left the audition room.

As I reflect on my years as a film critic, it’s challenging to envision another child embodying the charm and magic that Thomas brought to the role of Elliott. While Thomas has built an impressive resume in Hollywood, there is no denying that the part of Elliott will forever hold a special place in his heart. It’s evident that he remains proud of the movie, his performance, and the audition that catapulted him into this iconic role.

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2025-06-12 02:07