10 Things You Didn’t Know About The Thing (1982)

Source: Universal Pictures

If you’re a fan of horror movies, then you can’t miss out on The Thing (1982). This John Carpenter directed masterpiece is an absolute classic that has stood the test of time. It’s a remake of the 1951 movie The Thing from Another World but with a modern twist. The story follows a group of scientists stationed in Antarctica who are suddenly confronted by an alien that can take on the form of any living organism.

Here are 10 facts about The Thing that you may have missed:

1. Gruesome Special Effects

The film’s special effects were created by Rob Bottin, who was only 22 years old at the time. The effects were so realistic and gruesome that some audience members reportedly fainted during the premiere.

2. Iconic Poster Design

The movie’s iconic poster, featuring a silhouette of the alien creature, was designed by Drew Struzan, who also created posters for other classic movies like Star Wars and Indiana Jones.

3. Harsh Filming Conditions

During filming, the cast and crew ventured to a small town near the Alaska border called Stewart, British Columbia. The production spent $75,000 on winter gear to keep everyone warm during the shoot. The harsh winter weather conditions enhanced the realism of the movie.

4. Famous Cast Members

The cast included several actors who would go on to become famous in their own right, including Kurt Russell, who had already starred in Escape from New York and Silkwood, Wilford Brimley, who would later appear in Cocoon and The Firm, and Keith David, who would go on to star in Platoon and There’s Something About Mary.

5. Big Budget

The Thing (1982) had a budget of $15 million, which was considered high for a horror film at the time. The film’s special effects were particularly expensive, with the use of animatronics and prosthetics to create the alien creature.

6. Original Ending vs. Final Cut

The film’s original ending was much darker and ambiguous. In the final cut, however, the ending was changed to be more hopeful and conclusive.

7. Ennio Morricone’s Score

The movie’s score was composed by Ennio Morricone, who is best known for his work on spaghetti westerns like The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Carpenter originally intended to compose the score himself, but he was so impressed with Morricone’s work that he asked him to do it instead.

8. From Flop to Cult Classic

The Thing (1982) was not a box-office success when it was first released. The film only made $19.6 million at the box office, which was not enough to recoup its production costs.

9. Video Game Adaptations

The movie has inspired several video games, including a 2002 game called “The Thing” that serves as a sequel to the movie’s storyline. The game follows a team of soldiers who are sent to investigate the events of the film and features gameplay that requires players to manage the trust and loyalty of their team members.

10. 6 Dogs

The dog that plays the infected creature in the film was actually played by six different dogs, each trained to perform different actions. The dogs were taught to crawl, snarl, and even shake off the fake snow that was used on set.