There's a certain kind of pure, raw energy that comes from auditions. It's one thing to see the audition process on any given project, but it's another beast entirely to get that rare glimpse at an old audition for what would eventually go on to become a worldwide phenomenon. That's what happened when a 10-year-old Henry Thomas showed up one day in 1981 to read for a major role in this little film called E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.
In this grainy piece of cinema history, Thomas is the only person seen on the screen in a tight close-up as director Steven Spielberg and his crew offer some stage direction before playing out a particularly heart-wrenching scene. Unlike the rather different vibe (to say the least) seen in the original Bill and Ted auditions, this short clip is a real tear-jerker even outside the context of the Universal movie, and it's immediately obvious why Spielberg chose Thomas for the part.
At the start, anyone unfamiliar with the movie might just think Thomas is some regular kid sitting there. But immediately once the scene starts, he transitions flawlessly into some of the most heartbreaking line deliveries this side of that super sad episode of Futurama (yeah, that one). Thomas reacts to an off-camera man playing the role of a government agent coming to find E.T., whom Thomas' character Elliott is currently hiding. "But you can't take him away, he's mine," Thomas answers indignantly, before slowly cranking up the waterworks as the scene proceeds.
With virtually zero preparation before the audition, he manages to make the audience really feel for a little boy and his alien friend well before the movie even exists. The video features some of the most convincing emotions a child actor could possibly hope to achieve, from Thomas' pained frown to the genuine tears streaming down his face by the end. It's no surprise whatsoever to hear Spielberg himself end the clip with, "ok kid, you got the job."
These sorts of videos provide some valuable context for what kind of person a famous actor or actress might have been before taking on a role that ended up defining their entire career. Thomas, who can currently be seen as Dr. Mid-Nite on The CW's Stargirl, has kept up a pretty steady career since his 1982 breakout role in E.T. However, it could be argued that he's still best known as young Elliott even all these years later as he continues to land roles in decently high-profile projects like Midnight Mass.
But whatever he's got going on, it's fascinating to see where it all began. Auditions are always an interesting look into an actor's past. There's no doubt Thomas belongs in the acting world, and that's been true ever since 1981. So here's to plenty more solid roles in the future.
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is now available to stream on Peacock.
Source: UniversalPicsSweden/YouTube