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The Thing filmmaker teases a sequel but fans fear it's a 'bad idea'

Many people would like to see John Carpenter direct something else

KURT RUSSELL, THE THING, 1982
Kurt Russell in The Thing. (PA Images/Alamy)

The Thing filmmaker John Carpenter has teased that a follow up could be on the cards – but fans have mixed feelings about it.

The sci-fi horror starring Kurt Russell was released in 1982 and has gained a cult following.

And according to Creepy Catalog, during the Texas Frightmare Weekend 2023 event, director Carpenter hinted at a sequel.

Read more: Legendary filmmaker John Carpenter wants to return to directing

He was quizzed about whether the character Childs was the Thing but played his cards close to his chest, telling fans: “I have been sworn to secrecy, OK, because there may be, I don’t know if there will be, there may be a Thing 2.”

MOVIE POSTER, THE THING, 1982
The movie was released in 1982. (PA Images/Alamy)

Some fans said they’d love a follow up to the film about a parasitic, shape-shifting alien.

“If John Carpenter wants to make a The Thing I am on board,” tweeted one, while another said it was "brilliant" news.

“Oh wow! Now, this would be interesting to see,” said somebody else.

But other fans of the original said they thought it was a "bad idea" as the first film was “perfect” as it was.

“John Carpenter's The Thing is a masterpiece,” said one.

“It didn't need a prequel and doesn't need a sequel.”

Keith David, John Carpenter and Kurt Russell on the set of
Keith David, John Carpenter and Kurt Russell on the set of The Thing. (Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)

One fan said Carpenter “is wrong and must be stopped at all costs”.

Many said they would like to see other projects from the filmmaker, just not this one.

“Thinking it over, I really hope they don’t actually make a sequel to The Thing,” said one fan.

“It’s a perfect film with a perfect ending. I’d KILL to see John Carpenter jump back in the director’s chair one more time, but for a different project.”

72nd Cannes Film Festival - The Carrosse d’Or (Golden Coach) award - Red Carpet Arrivals - Cannes, France, May 15, 2019. Director John Carpenter poses. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau
John Carpenter has dropped a hint about a sequel to The Thing. (Reuters)

Somebody else tweeted: “I do not need a narrative sequel to The Thing, but another John Carpenter movie? That’s scary?? With practical creature effects??? I would sacrifice everything.”

It isn’t the first time that Carpenter has suggested he might revisit The Thing.

Read More: John Carpenter looks back at a legacy of scares

Three years ago Variety quoted him as saying he was possibly involved with a reboot that he said was "down the road".

THE THING 2011 Strike Entertainment film with Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Ulrich Thomsen
Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Ulrich Thomsen in 2011's The Thing. (Alamy)

John Carpenter's The Thing was itself an adaptation of a 1938 John W Campbell novella Who Goes There? which had already been adapted for the big screen in 1951's The Thing from Another World.

A prequel to Carpenter's film — also titled The Thing confusingly — was released in 2011 to mixed reviews.

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