The Thing prequel

For quite a few years, we’ve heard rumblings about a possible sequel, prequel or remake to John Carpenter’s sci-fi masterpiece THE THING (based on the short story “Who Goes There?”, also adapted into a 1951 movie).

Universal is finally pulling the trigger on the flamethrower, shoving a sticky prequel into the pipe. The icy terror will be written by “BATTLESTAR GALACTICA” overlord Ron Moore and directed by commercial guy Matthijs Van Heijningen, who was most recently attached to Zack Snyder’s slow-moving zombie project ARMY OF THE DEAD.

The new film will apparently focus on how the body-hopping shape-altering alien was discovered by a research team in Antarctica, before it found its way to MacReady and company. Strike Entertainment (DAWN OF THE DEAD, SLITHER) is behind the grotesque chills. It was also previously in the works as a possible cable miniseries, and Frank Darabont was also once involved.

The only advice I would offer: practical effects whenever possible. And a strong cast (although replacing the coolness of Kurt Russell will be a challenge). Other stories based on Carpenter’s version of the flesh-morphing extraterrestrial have been told in videogame and comic book format.