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The Flanaverse King: 7 Shocking Facts About Henry Thomas’s Career Resurgence (And The Fake E.T. Sequel)

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Henry Thomas, the actor who captured the world’s heart as Elliott Taylor in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, is currently experiencing a powerful and fascinating career resurgence, defining himself as one of Hollywood's most versatile character actors. As of December 2025, Thomas remains highly active, transitioning from his iconic 1980s child star status to a modern-day horror and thriller mainstay, largely due to his deep-seated creative partnership with filmmaker Mike Flanagan. This article dives into his latest 2024 and 2025 projects, clarifies the persistent rumors about a true E.T. sequel, and explores his complete journey from a Texas native to a "Flanaverse" king.

The actor's recent work in both the supernatural horror genre and the gritty Western landscape proves he is actively seeking roles that challenge audience expectations, moving far beyond the shadow of his most famous childhood performance. His latest film, the modern Western thriller High Ground, and his recent appearance at the 2025 Saturn Awards underscore his continued relevance in the industry.

Henry Thomas: Complete Biography and Profile

  • Full Name: Henry Jackson Thomas
  • Born: September 9, 1971
  • Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
  • Age (as of Dec 2025): 54
  • Occupation: Actor, Musician
  • Iconic Role: Elliott Taylor in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
  • Genre Focus: Horror/Supernatural Thriller (The Flanaverse)
  • Notable Mike Flanagan Roles: Hugh Crain (The Haunting of Hill House), Henry Wingrave (The Haunting of Bly Manor), Ed Flynn (Midnight Mass), Frederick Usher (The Fall of the House of Usher)
  • Recent Projects (2024/2025): The Curse of the Necklace (2024), High Ground (2025)

The Flanaverse King: Thomas’s Collaboration with Mike Flanagan

The most significant chapter of Henry Thomas's adult career is his ongoing, prolific collaboration with horror auteur Mike Flanagan. This partnership, affectionately dubbed the "Flanaverse" by fans, has provided Thomas with a career-defining platform, allowing him to showcase his range as a dramatic character actor.

Thomas is one of Flanagan’s most frequent collaborators, appearing in every one of the filmmaker's Netflix limited series. This consistent casting is a testament to Thomas's ability to embody complex, emotionally shattered characters.

The Essential Henry Thomas Flanaverse Roles

Thomas’s roles in the Flanaverse anthologies are diverse, often playing men wrestling with deep-seated trauma, addiction, or moral ambiguity. This list highlights his most pivotal performances in the horror universe:

  • The Fall of the House of Usher (2023): Thomas played Frederick Usher, the eldest son and heir to the Usher dynasty. His performance as the entitled, morally bankrupt, and ultimately pathetic Frederick was a critical highlight, marking a major departure from his previous, more sympathetic Flanagan roles.
  • Midnight Mass (2021): He portrayed Ed Flynn, the estranged father of the protagonist, a man struggling with guilt and the weight of his family's past.
  • The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020): Thomas took on the role of Henry Wingrave, the wealthy, emotionally distant uncle of the children, haunted by his own personal demons and a tragic secret.
  • The Haunting of Hill House (2018): In a breakout performance that launched his Flanaverse career, he played the younger version of Hugh Crain, the family patriarch, navigating the terrifying events that led to his wife's death and his family's subsequent estrangement.
  • Gerald's Game (2017): Thomas also worked with Flanagan on this Stephen King adaptation, playing the younger version of Tom, a key figure in the protagonist's traumatic past.

2024–2025: The Latest Projects and Genre Shifts

While his work with Mike Flanagan has cemented his status in horror, Henry Thomas has actively sought out other challenging roles in 2024 and 2025, demonstrating his commitment to genre diversity.

The Modern Western Thriller: High Ground (2025)

One of his most anticipated recent projects is the action-thriller High Ground, a film Thomas himself has described as a "modern Western." Set for a digital release on March 18, 2025, the film features Thomas as a sheriff whose life is thrown into chaos. The plot centers on his precarious equilibrium being shattered when a mysterious prisoner triggers the wrath of a brutal cartel, forcing the sheriff into a crucible of loyalty and survival.

This role offers Thomas a chance to explore a rugged, action-oriented character, a stark contrast to the emotionally vulnerable men he often portrays in the Flanaverse. The film’s intense action and modern setting ensure it is a far cry from the classic Westerns of Hollywood's past.

Supernatural Horror: The Curse of the Necklace (2024)

Released theatrically in select locations in September 2024, followed by a VOD release, The Curse of the Necklace is a supernatural horror film that saw Thomas returning to a darker family dynamic.

The film’s synopsis details the Davis family navigating the turbulent 1960s, where the mother separates from her alcoholic husband and the daughters grapple with the changes. Thomas portrays the husband, a role that allows him to delve into the complexities of a troubled family man who must also contend with an external evil force.

The E.T. Question: Why a Sequel Will Never Happen (and The Official Reunion)

For decades, the single most persistent question in Henry Thomas's career has been about a feature-length sequel to E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Despite the continued popularity of the 1982 classic, the answer remains a firm 'No,' a fact Thomas has personally confirmed.

The constant rumors, including viral images and fan-made concept trailers for an E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial 2 (2025), are all hoaxes. The original film’s director, Steven Spielberg, has consistently resisted a full sequel, believing the original story’s ending was perfect and should not be tampered with.

The One Official Continuation: The closest fans will ever get to a sequel is the 2019 Xfinity commercial, A Holiday Reunion. In this short film, Henry Thomas reprised his role as Elliott, now an adult with a family of his own, who gets to re-introduce E.T. to his children. This heartfelt, four-minute short was a nostalgic capstone, but it was not a feature film. Thomas himself has stated that a full sequel would be "inappropriate."

Beyond Acting: The Musician and Songwriter

While his acting career dominates the headlines, Henry Thomas is also a talented musician. Before his career resurgence, he was the lead singer and songwriter for the Texas-based band, The Blue Dot. Though the band’s profile is low, Thomas’s passion for music remains a significant part of his creative life, providing a private outlet away from the pressures of Hollywood. This musical side is a testament to his multifaceted artistic nature, ensuring he is never solely defined by the iconic role he played as a child. (Note: The actor should not be confused with the famous country blues musician, Henry 'Ragtime Texas' Thomas, who lived from 1874 to 1930).

henry thomas the actor
henry thomas the actor

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