Unearthing the Secrets: How Pet Sematary: Bloodlines Cast Stephen King Adaptation Vet for the Ultimate Prequel Thriller
In a career filled with Stephen King adaptations, Henry Thomas' casting in Pet Sematary: Bloodlines marks his fifth collaboration with the renowned author
Summary
Director Lindsey Anderson Beer was intentional in casting Henry Thomas for Pet Sematary: Bloodlines to bring a sense of weight and genre knowledge to the elder characters.
Thomas has established a lucrative career in the realm of horror, often teaming up with writer/director Mike Flanagan for numerous Stephen King adaptations. Throughout his journey, Thomas has demonstrated his adaptability by portraying a myriad of roles within the horror genre, ranging from a compassionate father figure to a compellingly intense and deranged character. These experiences have rendered him an ideal candidate for the role in the anticipated King prequel.
Director Lindsey Anderson Beer revealed the significance of casting Henry Thomas for the prequel movie Pet Sematary: Bloodlines, despite already having an impressive ensemble cast. Thomas takes on the role of Dan Crandall, Jud's father, who is aware of the dangers lurking in the eponymous graveyard and its dark history in the town of Ludlow. As his son's attempts to leave home are disrupted by the unexpected return of a childhood friend, Dan and Jud join forces to confront the evil of the cemetery and prevent its spread.
In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant for the release of Pet Sematary: Bloodlines, Beer was asked about Thomas' previous involvement in Stephen King adaptations and how it influenced her decision to cast him. As the co-writer and director, Beer emphasized that it was a significant factor in approaching Thomas for the role of Jud's father, while also highlighting the presence of other seasoned actors in the cast, setting the tone for the audience. Below is Beer's explanation:
That was 100% in mind. I feel like we only have so much screen time with the elder characters, and I wanted people who communicated a shorthand of, "Okay, yes, they've been around this evil, they have this almost weight of genre to them." So people like Henry Thomas, and then Pam Grier with her action legacy, people like that I felt like instantly give the audience a sense that these people know s--t.
Henry Thomas' Pet Sematary Casting Continues A Great Career Trend
Henry Thomas and Pam Grier, with their respective legacies in the industry, were chosen to portray elder characters who exude an unmistakable air of familiarity with the evil they confront and carry the weight of genre. It's as if their mere presence on screen instantly conveys to the audience that these individuals possess a deep understanding and knowledge.
While Thomas is still best known for his role as young protagonist Elliott in Steven Spielberg's classic sci-fi adventure E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, he has since found great success in the horror genre. Collaborating frequently with writer/director Mike Flanagan, Thomas has appeared in every one of his projects starting with 2016's Ouija: Origin of Evil. Their latest collaboration is the upcoming Netflix miniseries The Fall of the House of Usher, which marks Flanagan's final project for the streaming platform.
In addition to his other collaborations, Thomas has acted in two King adaptations. He portrayed Jesse's father Tom in flashbacks in the 2017 film Gerald's Game. He also played a manifestation of Jack Torrance in The Overlook Hotel in Doctor Sleep. Thomas already had experience in King adaptations prior to these, including the TV adaptation Desperation and the episode based on the short story "The End of the Whole Mess" in Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King. Through his collaborations with King and Flanagan, Thomas has proven his talent in the horror genre and his versatility in various roles. He has portrayed characters ranging from the caring Father Tom in Ouija: Origin of Evil to the more sinister Jack in Doctor Sleep. In Pet Sematary: Bloodlines, Thomas seeks to find the perfect balance between warmth as a father and the determination to protect his town from evil, showcasing Beer's astute casting choice for the King prequel.
