The Thing (1982) Gets A Prequel

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New Details on The Thing Prequel Emerge

Bloody-Disgusting has posted some new character breakdowns for the upcoming prequel The Thing (via Spoiler TV), and some new information has come to light about the film as well. It seems the film, which will start shooting on March 15 in Toronto, will be shooting from a script by Eric Heisserer, who rewrote the original draft by 'Battlestar Galactica' creator Ronald Moore. Take a look at some of the character breakdowns and the new synopsis for the film below.

[KATE LLOYD] In her late 20s to early 30s, pretty, bright-eyed, intelligent, she's a graduate of Columbia and a Ph.D. candidate in paleontology (the study of prehistoric life). On the recommendation of her friend Adam Goodman, Kate is tapped for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by Dr. Sander Halvorson to join his research team in Antarctica, where an extraordinary discovery has been made. Upon arrival, Kate soon finds herself at odds with Halvorson about how best to proceed with the discovery -- an alien spaceship with a mysterious and sinister frozen THING found nearby -- specifically whether to transfer the specimen undisturbed to a more appropriate facility for analysis, or, per Halvorson's wishes, to drill into the specimen's ice encasement for a definitive tissue sample. Kate's misgivings about her involvement grow when Halvorson ignores her advice and collects his tissue sample -- a critical error in judgment that ultimately frees the trapped organism and triggers a series of horrific incidents and attacks. Furthering her sense of isolation, most of the scientists at the site speak Norwegian, a language she doesn't understand. Kate looks to her friend, Adam, for help stopping Sander's obsession from getting them all killed, but eventually must take matters of life and death into her own hands. In the end, her only hope of survival is to join forces with Sam Carter, the chopper pilot who flew her team to the remote Norwegian base...LEAD (2)

[DR. SANDER HALVORSON] In his late 30s to early 50s, austere, scholarly and imperious, he's a microbiologist from NYU who leads a science research team to Antarctica to help his old friend Edvard interpret and analyze an extraordinary discovery made beneath the ice. Sander, a brilliant scientist and a master of self-promotion, knows that his involvement in such an historic discovery will bring him fame and fortune. Blinded by ambition, he refuses to abandon the "project" even as the bodies pile up around him. He is annoyed when Kate, whom he considers more of an apprentice than an equal, disagrees with him and openly questions his decisions in front of the others...LEAD. Actor must be able to speak some Norwegian. (2)

[SAM CARTER] In his early 30s, rugged, handsome, blue-collar, he's a helicopter pilot with a private charter service that transports personnel and supplies from McMurdo Station to remote research sites across Antarctica. Carter is a mercenary. He flies when he wants, where he wants, and he flies for one reason: money. But his resourcefulness, experience and get-it-done mentality make him indispensable. Arriving at Thule Station, he is the first to suspect something strange and dangerous is going on. Trapped there by faulty equipment, he becomes an unlikely ally of Kate's -- he reminds her (in temperament) of her father, now deceased, also a pilot. He and his co-pilot Jameson are nearly killed in a helicopter crash as they attempt to leave under less than ideal conditions. Carter must ultimately join forces with Kate to stop the THING's rampage...LEAD (3)

Click here for the rest of the character breakdowns of the film, which will be directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.

Source: Movieweb

I have never seen The Thing before but, I want to really bad.

I don't think you'd find many people recommending you don't. It's a superb film.

I have heard it is really good. Have you seen it and did you like it at all?

Yep. Seen it, own it, love it and, for once on this site, I'm not alone.

Amen to all that...

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It's what you learn after you know it all that counts. - John Wooden
My IMDb page

Yup, it's a stone cold classic (no pun intended).

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New Plot Details, Script Review For ‘The Thing’ Prequel

The folks over at CCA have gotten a look at the script for the prequel to John Carpenter’s 1982 version of The Thing – itself a remake of a 1951 sci-fi/horror flick of the same name – and the consensus is both good and bad.

For those not up to date on the development of the latest cinematic incarnation of The Thing, this new film will reveal what happened to the crew at the Norwegian research lab in Antarctica – the group whose remains were found by R.J. MacReady (Kurt Russell) and his fellow American scientists at the beginning of the John Carpenter-directed film.

Naturally, the cast this time around is primarily composed of – appropriately – Norwegian actors with American actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. The World) playing one of the leads. Relative newcomer Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. will direct the film, with writers Ronald D. Moore (Battlestar Galactica) and Eric Heisserer (the A Nightmare On Elm Street remake) credited for the screenplay.

The script reportedly contains specific details about how the dead Norwegian workers shown in Carpenter’s Thing ended up in their grim state – not to mention objects that help establish the 1980s setting for the story. Its plot is also apparently very similar to that of the aborted Syfy Channel mini-series, Return of the Thing, from a few years back.


While the general tone of the early script review for The Thing prequel can best be described as cautiously optimistic, the writer did raise the following concern:

The prequel is also titled The Thing, a trait that will surely add to some moviegoer’s confusion as to why this project is not just a remake/reboot of the 1982 film, when its themes and narrative are so similar – especially for those less familiar with the specific details about the characters and story in the John Carpenter version.

You can check out the full review of The Thing prequel over at CCA.

The Thing prequel is set to be released in the U.S. sometime in 2011.

Source: Screenrant

the only real new thing is the 1st finding of the space craft but we saw that in the first film and we know the ending so it is really, whats the point.

The point is to remake The Thing without getting people crying out "WTF! They're remaking The Thing?!?! Sacrilege!"

This might not be bad, if only because it seems to have very modest goals.

The Thing Will Arrive April 29, 2011

Universal Pictures is targeting The Thing for a release on April 29, 2011 which is two weeks after Scream 4 and one week after Red Riding Hood hit theaters. One week later, the 2011 summer season kicks-off with Thor.

Directed by Matthijs van Heijningen, the film is a prequel to John Carpenter's 1982 original with the same title. The studio describes the thriller as follows:

Jonathan Lloyd Walker and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje co-star.

Source: ComingSoon.net

what time period will it be set in i wonder?

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"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." - Michelangelo.

It has to be set just a bit before the Norwegians unleash the Thing and probably lead right up to the beginning of the Carpenter film, sans flying saucer. Of course, that does open up the possibility of showing things on the Thing's world in a prologue. That might be cool unless they think it will make the rest of the flick anti-climactic. Besides, in my mind, this Thing has been jumping from inhabited planet to inhabited planet and wiping them all out.

i see a VW product placement.

Great news! The Thing is IMHO the best Carpenter's film, so the prequel may both amuse the classics' lovers and disappoint us, too.

You don't have to be humble. The film is a near masterpiece.

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"Loves them? They need them, like they need the air."

I enjoy the thought of a prequel to this cinematic delight. I loved the original like most of the rest of you did. I just hope that it is executed well. I'm looking forward to this! Not sure why they would title it the same though, seems odd to me.

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"I know, honey. Look at the map. We go your way, that's about four inches. We go my way, it's an inch and a half. You wanna pay for the extra gas?"

lol great name!

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