John Carpenter Hints at a Sequel to ‘The Thing’

John Carpenter recently teased that a sequel to his 1982 sci-fi horror classic, The Thing, may be in the works.

Carpenter made the comments while appearing at Fan Expo Philadelphia, responding to audience questions about the possibility. “We’re working on it now,” Carpenter said. He added cautiously, “I don’t know. We’ll see.”

It was previously revealed a new 'The Thing' project was in the works at Blumhouse but Carpenter didn't reveal if it was a sequel, reboot, or prequel pic.twitter.com/dmJk2LankV

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The Thing, directed by Carpenter and written by Bill Lancaster, is based on John W. Campbell Jr.’s 1938 novella Who Goes There? The story follows a team of American researchers in Antarctica who encounter an alien creature capable of assimilating and imitating other organisms.

As paranoia spreads among the group, trust breaks down, leaving everyone unsure who is human and who is the alien. Kurt Russell stars as helicopter pilot R.J. MacReady, supported by actors including A. Wilford Brimley, Keith David, and Donald Moffat.

When The Thing premiered in 1982, it received largely negative reviews. Critics praised the special effects but found them grotesque, while some felt the characters were underdeveloped.

The movie earned $19.6 million at the box office and faced stiff competition from more optimistic science fiction films like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, as well as a crowded summer movie season and an audience unsettled by recession-era realities.

Over time, The Thing gained a devoted cult following through home video and television screenings. Today, it is widely regarded as a landmark in science fiction and horror cinema. Its influence is evident in other films, television shows, and video games, and it has inspired merchandise, comic book sequels, a 2011 prequel film, and themed board games.

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