Fans of The Thing have been eagerly awaiting a sequel for decades. The 1982 classic, featuring Kurt Russell, has earned its place among the greatest in sci-fi and horror and remains on top to this day.
Though fans received a decent prequel in 2011 starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, many still wish for a direct sequel to the original movie, which was once in the works. A script for a potential series was also written by none other than director Frank Darabont, but unfortunately, the studio turned it down.
The Thing Sequel Series Was in the Works But Rejected
Producer Roy Lee, who’s currently working on the Bioshock adaptation, revealed at Collider‘s panel at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con that this time it wasn’t John Carpenter for The Thing‘s sequel. Instead, Frank Darabont (coming off the success of The Walking Dead) was eager to continue The Thing saga. He said:
We were working on a sequel series for The Thing, which was picking up in the present day after the events of The Thing actually happened. It was done as a series, and he wanted to do it like The Walking Dead and turn it into a thing set in the U.S., but we never got it off the ground. We got a script written, but the studio hated it.
The idea of a The Thing series exploring what happened after the Antarctic outbreak sounds really exciting. Darabont, famous for movies like The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, and The Mist seemed like the ideal person to lead the project.
He is also best known for his gripping horror and drama films. His work often explores deep themes like hope and redemption, set in dark and thrilling worlds. Unfortunately, even with a finished script, the studio decided it wasn’t right for them.
Frank Darabont’s Unused Script is a What-If for The Thing
John Carpenter’s The Thing is a landmark in horror cinema. Its chilling Antarctic setting and the fear of an alien that can perfectly mimic humans create a tense, paranoia-filled atmosphere. The film’s impact has lasted over the years, with a prequel in 2011 and a well-received video game adaptation adding to its legacy.
The news of Frank Darabont’s rejected script is a bitter pill for fans to swallow. Even the most promising projects can be derailed by studio interference. Though a The Thing sequel might seem unlikely now, Darabont’s involvement gives a glimpse of what might have been.
The 65-year-old’s success with The Walking Dead showed he knows how to build suspense and fear. So, it’s exciting to think about what he could have brought to The Thing.
Watch The Thing (1982) on Prime Video!
Frequently asked questions
Who was behind the rejected sequel script for The Thing?
Frank Darabont, the Oscar-nominated director behind The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, and The Mist, was the creative force behind the project. He also developed and executive-produced The Walking Dead’s early seasons. According to producer Roy Lee, Darabont’s team got a full script written for a continuation of John Carpenter’s 1982 film, structured as a serialized series similar in format to The Walking Dead.
What was the concept behind Darabont’s Thing sequel?
The article reports that Darabont’s version would have picked up in present day, continuing directly from the Antarctic outbreak shown in the 1982 original starring Kurt Russell. Producer Roy Lee described it as a serialized narrative spreading the creature’s threat across locations in the United States, rather than a single contained setting like the original film.
Why did the Thing sequel series never get made?
Producer Roy Lee revealed that a full script was written for the project, but the studio rejected it, saying only that the studio “hated it” without detailing specific reasons. Despite Darabont’s pedigree, the series never moved into production and the concept was shelved, leaving fans without the direct continuation they had hoped for after the 1982 classic.
