Questions
Who directed The Thing and when did it come out?
John Carpenter directed it, and it was released on June 25, 1982.
Is The Thing based on a book?
Yes. It adapts John W. Campbell Jr.’s 1938 novella "Who Goes There?", and it is a more faithful version of that story than the 1951 film The Thing from Another World.
What is the movie actually about?
American researchers in Antarctica encounter an extraterrestrial shapeshifter that assimilates and perfectly imitates other organisms, and paranoia spreads as the crew realizes anyone among them could secretly be the Thing.
Who plays the lead, MacReady?
Kurt Russell plays R.J. MacReady, the helicopter pilot, alongside a cast that includes Wilford Brimley, Keith David, and Richard Dysart.
Did Kurt Russell really change his look for the part?
Yes. He reportedly spent about a year growing out his hair and beard for the role, and his salary rose from $50,000 to $400,000 after he was cast.
Who created all those wild creature effects?
Rob Bottin designed the effects, commanding a crew of about 35 artists on an effects budget of roughly $1.5 million, nearly 10 percent of the film’s $15 million total.
How old was the effects designer?
Rob Bottin was only 21. He reportedly lived on the Universal lot for over a year and was hospitalized with exhaustion, double pneumonia, and a bleeding ulcer during production.
What were the creatures actually made of?
Bottin’s team reportedly used everyday materials including mayonnaise, creamed corn, microwaved bubble gum, and K-Y Jelly.
How was the shocking chest scene done?
The "chest chomp" scene reportedly used a double amputee fitted with prosthetic arms filled with wax bones and Jell-O.
Were there any scary moments on set?
Reportedly a crew bus nearly went 500 feet off a cliff on the way to a location, and actor Keith David broke his hand the day before shooting, wearing surgical gloves and prosthetics to hide it.
Where was it filmed?
Locations included Juneau, Alaska, and Stewart, British Columbia, plus refrigerated sets at Universal Studios kept at about 28 degrees Fahrenheit.
Who composed the music?
Ennio Morricone. Carpenter asked for a European approach, and Morricone produced both orchestral and synthesizer scores, including roughly 60 minutes of largely unused material.
Was the film a hit when it opened?
No. It opened at number 8 and grossed around $20 million, finishing as the 42nd highest grossing film of 1982, and critics initially panned its nihilistic tone before it was reappraised as one of the best science fiction and horror films ever made.
What is the deal with that famous ambiguous ending?
Carpenter changed a scripted conclusion in which both MacReady and Childs transform, choosing instead to leave the two survivors freezing in the snow with their trust and identities unresolved.
What is the film’s most famous tagline?
"Man is the warmest place to hide," reportedly created by Stephen Frankort.
