Universal is once again remaking The Thing, but this time with new content from the original novel. John Carpenter's The Thing may be one of the most well-known horror movies of the '80s, but some people might not know that it's based on a book called Who Goes There? by science fiction writer John W. Campbell. Christian Nyby was the first person to adapt Campbell's work, titling his movie The Thing From Another World. Needless to say, Carpenter's adaptation has become much more well-known in pop-culture.
For years after 1982, fans wanted Carpenter to make The Thing 2 since the ending was so ambiguous. Carpenter isn't interested in making a sequel to The Thing, but Universal did give his film a prequel in 2011 starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Joel Edgerton. The film focused on the original researchers in Antarctica, who discovered the alien seen in the 1982 film. Carpenter's The Thing is praised for its work with practical effects, while Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.'s The Thing implemented more shotty CGI effects. The Thing prequel got mixed reviews, leaving many to think that it would be the last film in the franchise for quite some time, until now...
First reported by Bloody Disgusting, Universal Studios and Blumhouse are developing a new adaptation of Who Goes There? with the lost pages from the original book. In 2018, an expanded manuscript of Who Goes There? titled Frozen Hell was uncovered, revealing an additional 45 pages that nobody had ever seen. It didn't take long for Universal to jump on the idea of remaking The Thing, with producer Alan Donnes recently announcing the project on Facebook. Donnes statement, which has since been deleted from Facebook, can be read below:
“It’s OFFICIAL! I received my signed contract and first check! I am Executive Producing a remake of THE THING but with additional chapters of John Campbell’s groundbreaking novel, Frozen Hell, that had been lost for decades. Now, for the first time ever, Campbell’s full vision will be realized on the big screen. The new film will include the very best of RKO’s THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD, John Carpenter’s classic THE THING and both books, Frozen Hell and Who Goes There?”
Blumhouse Productions have been one of the heavy-hitters in the horror genre in recent years. The company has been behind several lucrative franchises such as Paranormal Activity and Insidious, while also making Academy-Award winning films like Get Out. Blumhouse also reinvigorated the Halloween franchise in 2018, which made Universal quite a bit of money. Blumhouse has made films for many other genres, but horror seems to be their strong suit.
While Science Fiction fans will be thrilled to hear that Campbell's book is once again being adapted, many others will question if it's really necessary. The new adaptation will have access to additional content from Campbell that couldn't have ever been present any film before, but the majority of this takes place before the first chapter of Who Goes There?. The film could basically end up being a remake of Carpenter's The Thing, just with a different opening. However, Carpenter's movie wasn't a 100% faithful adaptation of Campbell's book, so Universal and Blumhouse do have an opportunity to make something unique.
Source: Bloody Disgusting