Henry Thomas – yes, Elliot from E.T. – would probably be the first to admit that he hasn’t exactly set the world alight since that Steven Spielberg classic.
But he has worked pretty steadily and, every now and again, shows up in a prestige flick, be it Martin Scorsese's Gangs Of New York or Edward Zwick's Legends Of The Fall. And that looks set to continue with today’s news that he’s signed on to co-star in Lasse Hallstrom’s tear-jerker, Dear John, based on the Nicholas Sparks novel.
The story revolves around a soldier (Channing Tatum) who falls for Amanda Seyfried while on leave. But when he re-enlists after September 11, he is forced to move away from her.
Thomas will play an older man (well, kind of older – Thomas is still only 37) for whom Seyfried’s character falls while Tatum is away.
Filming on the Screen Gems movie is currently underway in South Carolina.