TMDb/E.T. the Extra-Terrestria Movie Discover how a young Henry Thomas' raw, emotional audition for E.T. won him the role and moved Steven Spielberg. The untold story behind the iconic film. April 8, 2026 AceShowbiz - E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial remains one of the most cherished alien movies ever made, a film that not only captivated audiences but also surpassed box office giants like Star Wars. However, before the movie became a cultural phenomenon, its young star, Henry Thomas, was convinced he had lost the role of Elliott after his initial audition.