The Unknown Origins: Director Unveils the Untold Story behind 'The Thing 2' after 2011 Prequel Flop

Summary

Director Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. reveals that he had plans for a sequel to his The Thing prequel, which would have brought back Mary Elizabeth Winstead's Kate.

Kate's attempt to reintegrate into society takes a thrilling turn when she finds herself stranded on an oil rig. As chaos unfolds, the alien reemerges, unleashing utter destruction.

Critically and commercially, The Thing's prequel fell short, plagued by underwhelming CGI that failed to match the practical effects of its predecessor. Moreover, the story lacked originality, feeling more like a repetitive rehash of the original film.

The director of The Thing prequel, Matthijs van Heijningen Jr., has shared his plans for a potential follow-up film, had he been given the opportunity. The original John Carpenter prequel was released in 1982 and is highly regarded by fans. It tells the story of a research team in Antarctica who must battle a shape-shifting alien monster. Unfortunately, Heijningen Jr.'s prequel, which starred Mary Elizabeth Winstead, was not well-received by audiences or critics when it was released in 2011.

In a recent interview with SyFy, Heijningen revealed that his follow-up movie would have taken place after the events of The Thing prequel. He teased that the character Kate, played by Winstead, would have taken center stage in the story, but in a completely different location from the first two films. Here is Heijningen's full comment:

"We imagined a sequel where Kate manages to flee and gets rescued at sea, attempting to alert the world of danger near an oil platform located near the South Pole. Chaos ensues when the monster wreaks havoc on the rig. Personally, I found the idea of mayhem on the oil rig intriguing."

"The Carpenter version was exceptionally well-done, and many fans felt a sense of offense with the prequel, questioning the need for a continuation. However, I now comprehend that it may have been premature to pursue a sequel at that time."

Why The Thing Prequel Was A Disappointment

Carpenter, known for directing iconic films like Halloween and Escape from New York, also created the horror classic The Thing. Over the years, The Thing has gained recognition for its astonishing practical effects that still captivate audiences today. Unfortunately, the 2011 prequel failed to maintain the original's charm and struggled both critically and commercially.

A major criticism of The Thing prequel was its heavy reliance on CGI instead of practical effects. This choice diminished the impact of the action, scares, and gore, resulting in a less visceral experience compared to Carpenter's original masterpiece. It has been revealed that the prequel initially utilized practical effects for its alien scenes, but at the last minute, these were replaced with CGI.

The 2011 film, The Thing, is frequently criticized for its ambiguous categorization as both a prequel and a remake, lacking a full commitment to either. While Winstead's character is not typically recognized as a flaw in The Thing prequel, it suggests the potential for success with her as the protagonist in another film. Heijningen's concept for a follow-up would have distinctly set itself apart from the original and the prequel, potentially leading to greater success.