The Thing - Prequel

I don't know if anyone else is as huge a fan as i am of John Carpenters The Thing from 1982, but with all the recent cold weather and snow recently we have been staying in allot, it seemed appropriate and decided to put on a blu-ray copy of The Thing the wife got me at xmas.

The film only seems to get better when ever i see it and i seem to pick up on parts i have missed, or never noticed before. I always wondered why Clark was never infected, and also who actually got to the blood. So while having a quick google/wiki search etc to check for theories on this i came across the news that filming of a "prequel" to the Thing is starting March 2010.

The prequel is being directed by Matthijs van Heijningen and the premise of the prequel is described as "We're telling the story of the Norwegian camp that found the Thing before the Kurt Russell group did"

I have mixed feelings on this, ultimately we of course know the ending of this, but at the same time if done right the whole process of the Norwegians finding the spaceship/thing etc will be of interest to fans of the 82 film. Firstly i think we have to be thankful that they are not actually re-making the 82 original (even if that itself is a very loose remake of the old black and white version -or more accurately adaptation of the "Who Goes There book") but then all of this promise has been significantly dimmed by the rumour that it will also "possibly follow MacReady's brother during the events leading up to the opening moments of the 1982 film" - i mean MacReady's brother with the Norwegians? he couldn't even tell the difference between Scandinavian countries in the 82 film? :D

Couple of points i would like to know....

1. Rob Bottin's original special effects were ground breaking back in 1982, i take it we are now going to get a cgi feast in the prequel, just hope they do not go to mad on it - and lets be honest Bottin made himself ill and admitted to hospital with exhaustion after the last one so doubt he will be to interested in any involvement. We are now in a world where CGI rules traditional SFX/make up artists - so will be interested to see how this goes.

2. Language - i would dearly love for it to be a Norwegian based language/english subtitles film (not just because i happen to understand it) but because i always feel it should be used in the context to the film. But of course with this being a US financed film and many Americans not liking subtitles i do not see this happening which is sad (this will be a Cinema release as opposed to "straight to dvd" film apparently)

So overall mixed emotions on this one, i know other people here have mentioned John carpenters classic in their list of favourite films here on this forum before, just interested to know your opinions on this news? Happy or not?

Further info here.... http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=26609

I'd heard rumours of a remake but not a prequel, I'm quite glad it's the latter of the two to be honest, a remake would be more than unnessecary, it'd be sacrilege ;)

My gut reaction to the news is not only would it be great if they stick to norwegian with english subs as you say but it's the kind of film that would suit a handheld/documentary style, I'm thinking Cloverfield/Rec but with less shakey cam antics. It's been a while since I watched The Thing but I'm fairly certain they find tapes and pictures when they go to investigate so it'd fit well with the story if it was shot that way and the grainy hand held perspective would help make the (unfortunately inevitable) cgi stuff less obvious.

Carpenter's version is a remake in itself, and provesd that remakes are not necessarily evil, but personally neither a prequel or a remake is needed. What will they show you that we didn't already see in The Thing?

I caught it in the Cineworld a few mnnths back, Universal had been (and may still be) doing a sweries of dolder films with new digital transfers. Class film.

I enjoyed the old black and white one and it is good in its own way for the times, and yes it is pretty rare where a sequel is better (although Carpenter did stick closer to Campbell's book)

The screenwriter for the prequel is Ronald D Moore of the new Battlestar Galactica series (which i have not seen) so don't know if this is a good choice or not? The script has been re-written a few times, as originally it was going to be a remake back then as well - so that at least is a good thing they scraped that idea.

Although we know the eventual outcome of this prequel - I just hope they can create the tension with the suspicion and paranoia within the Norwegian camp in the same way as the 82 version. Would also be a result if they could get Morricone to compose the score as well ;)

Well, on the basis of Battlestar I'll give a thumbs up for Ron Moore. I'm currently on season 2 episode 12 of BSG - and this is my 3rd time watching it all. I'm still skpetical though. I really don't think it's needed.

At one bit, it was Rob Bottin who was supposed to be directing. I wecome any new monster movie anyway as I lap them up. But preferably less Sh***y CGI and more practical stuff. Having said that Sometimes the CGI can pay off, Frankenfish & Deep Rising both being pretty watchable :)

Anyone for a sequel to Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus?

My local indy cinema was doing an 80's season and I got to see an original print of the Thing, it was absolutely brilliant to see it on the big screen when I never thought I'd get the chance.
News of a prequel is not met with pleasure as far as I'm concerned, but I think it's at least a better option a sequel, the 'fade to grey' was one of the things that made the film so great.

Leads for the prequel confirmed and they are not Norwegian, so no chance of a subtitled film (not that i thought Hollywood would have the balls to do it though anyway) :(

http://www.filmjunk.com/2010/02/08/t...l-gets-a-cast/

Quote:

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It was announced last month that The Thing prequel would go into production in Toronto in March and continue through June. Now, two of the stars have finally been revealed. According to THR, Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Live Free or Die Hard) will portray a Ph.D. candidate assigned to the Norwegian team after the discovery of the ship, and Joel Edgarton (Acolytes) will star as a rough-and-tumble helicopter pilot, reminiscent of Russell's MacReady. No other cast announcements have been made and there is no release date set at this time

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Hmm fairly apprehensive of this being any good with all the remakes coming out recently. Will see I guess. :x

The official trailer of the Prequel is out now....

http://www.thethingmovie.net/

Although i am still rather sceptical, some parts of it show some promise and there is some continuity between this and the 82 film. Have to wait and see.

Thanks but that looks like a simple remake of 82 :( shame....

Hmm I agree it looks exactly like a remake. But if I can recall the original The Thing movie, it should be pretty similar.
This is probably just gona be another movie to get people to unload their pockets expecting something more than improved CGI and immitated acting.

Could be interesting or could just be a rehash.

FWIIW 'BSG' was simply excellent (IMHO): pity about 'Caprica' though.

Carpenter's film is one of my favourites of all time. I loved the effects and the use of older actors. I also love films with snowy,cold atmospheres.

I just watched a small clip (the thing escapes) of the new one and i'm a tad disappointed. It looks like the cheap looking, blurred CGI i've seen in some other films. Hopefully it won't reflect the whole film. I'm not against CGI if it's done the right way.

PS.. i wouldn't have minded it being made with all-Norwegian actors either.Lookin at the list of actors it does look like they have some Scandanavian looking names.

One of my favourite films of all time. every time I watch it I can't get the "DUN DUN" soundtrack out of my head for the next few days.

I'm almost certain this new one is going to be bad but I'm probably going to be a bit biased because i loved Carpenter's so much.

Went to the premier last night and overall pleasantly surprised with the prequel. Just to confirm it is not a "remake" as some people have thought, it is literally a prequel to what happened in the 82 Film and overall there was a fair share of continuity linking the two films. Yes there is CGI but overall it has been refined and not as OTT as i thought it would be, and where it was top heavy it leads back to what was found by the outpost crew when visiting the aftermath in the 82 film. There was so many leads between the prequel to the 82 version and could sense many people were picking up on them while watching.

It was good to see that there is a large Norwegian cast and subtitles (oh i bet the Americans hated that) :D The subtitles were not great to someone familiar with the language (subtitle conversion can be very sloppy at times i find) but in film definitely helped to project a barrier between them and the non Norwegians helping to add to the suspense and paranoia.

It was never going to beat the 82 film for me (but i didnt try and judge it as such) but i still felt it was a fitting addition to the name and overall glad i went to the cinema to see it. Overall i would give it a 4 out of 5 stars. Just dont go in expecting a remake, which it isn't.