Mary Elizabeth Winstead to star in The Thing prequel

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by: Mike Sampson Feb. 8, 2010

I haven't been too hot on the upcoming prequel for THE THING that's going to begin filming this spring in Toronto but this casting news has certainly piqued my interest. Mary Elizabeth Winstead has signed on to star in the film, her first lead role in a studio movie and one well-deserved. Winstead has been one of the young actresses who has been able to mix big-budget action flicks (LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD) with indie flicks (FACTORY GIRL) and Quentin Tarantino flicks (DEATH PROOF). The actress has been cast alongside Joel Edgerton (Uncle Owen from the new STAR WARS trilogy) in the film, which follows the Norwegian research team that is hinted at in John Carpenter's film.

Winstead will play a PhD candidate who travels to Antarctica to work with the Norwegian crew. When the shit hits the fan, she teams up with a mercenary (Edgerton) to "stop the rampage." Matthijs Van Heijningen is directing the film for Universal from a script by Ronald D. Moore. Winstead can be seen next in another Universal film, SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD, this August.

So are you with me? Does the casting of Winstead help ease the discomfort of a THING prequel? Or does this actually make you less excited?

Source: THR

Extra Tidbit: So if the original film took place in the 80s and this film is a prequel, will it too be set in the 80s?

16 discussions Expand all
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JacksColdSweat
7:49PM on 02/10/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Soooooo fine
Soooooo fine
 
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Hip-Hop Legend
4:59AM on 02/09/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I'm not sure I like the idea of a prequel or not. I'd rather see Kurt tear it up in a sequel. is Carpenter directing?
I'm not sure I like the idea of a prequel or not. I'd rather see Kurt tear it up in a sequel. is Carpenter directing?
 
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Miguelito
10:55PM on 02/08/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
SCREAM 4
SCREAM 4
SCREAM 4
 
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emjoi
10:05PM on 02/08/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I always wanted...
Kurt Russell's Chess Wizard.
Kurt Russell's Chess Wizard.
 
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CHRISYCHRIS
4:23PM on 02/08/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
nICE
MARY JANE WATSON???? I LIKE THAT IDEA. CAST THAT!
MARY JANE WATSON???? I LIKE THAT IDEA. CAST THAT!
 
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Brendan M.
4:22PM on 02/08/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
WTF?
WTF?
 
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Huttjos
1:46PM on 02/08/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I'm a huge fan of the thing. Even though this will probably turn into an AVP, I'll still see it.

(God I hope I hop eI hope they use nothing but old school carpenter effects on this, I hope I hope I hope
I'm a huge fan of the thing. Even though this will probably turn into an AVP, I'll still see it.

(God I hope I hop eI hope they use nothing but old school carpenter effects on this, I hope I hope I hope
 
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razgriz21
12:24PM on 02/08/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I love Mary but I really hope that this prequel delivers.
I love Mary but I really hope that this prequel delivers.
 
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Red4
10:42AM on 02/08/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
The Thing didn't have a single attractive actor; and that added a great level of realism. While Kurt Russel was attractive, he sported a massive chin tabby to ugly up for the part. Throw in a hot actress like Winstead, and I'm no longer too keen on the movie's intended scare factor. I doubt they'll glue a beard onto her.
The Thing didn't have a single attractive actor; and that added a great level of realism. While Kurt Russel was attractive, he sported a massive chin tabby to ugly up for the part. Throw in a hot actress like Winstead, and I'm no longer too keen on the movie's intended scare factor. I doubt they'll glue a beard onto her.
 
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brdman13
10:39AM on 02/08/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Not bad
I'm just so happy that they aren't remaking John Carpenters flick lilke they originally intended. And with ronald moore writing the script I think this might turn out to be a decent movie.
I'm just so happy that they aren't remaking John Carpenters flick lilke they originally intended. And with ronald moore writing the script I think this might turn out to be a decent movie.
 
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Wild_Turkey
10:27AM on 02/08/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Winstead interests me. Sure. Carpenter's The Thing is incredible, but it is already a remake, so why not, bring on a prequel. If the trailer looks bad and all I hear about it is bad (i.e: The Fog remake), I simply won't watch it. That said, right now, more Thing sounds like a good thing to me.
Winstead interests me. Sure. Carpenter's The Thing is incredible, but it is already a remake, so why not, bring on a prequel. If the trailer looks bad and all I hear about it is bad (i.e: The Fog remake), I simply won't watch it. That said, right now, more Thing sounds like a good thing to me.
 
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visual_tension
10:12AM on 02/08/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I would've never expected her to be cast as the lead in this, but I think it's good news. By the way, she also had a lead role in Make It Happen.
I would've never expected her to be cast as the lead in this, but I think it's good news. By the way, she also had a lead role in Make It Happen.
 
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BrundleROB
10:09AM on 02/08/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
THE THING
had one of my favorite openings ever. It opens with a "what the hell's that all aboot?" kinda thing. So I'm excited for this since THE THING is one of my favorite horror films and is one of those remakes where it gets waaaaaaayyy more recognition than the original (THE FLY, INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS)
had one of my favorite openings ever. It opens with a "what the hell's that all aboot?" kinda thing. So I'm excited for this since THE THING is one of my favorite horror films and is one of those remakes where it gets waaaaaaayyy more recognition than the original (THE FLY, INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS)
 
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AmazSpiderman1
9:54AM on 02/08/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
All I know is that they better keep the style of the film very 80s-like, and that it better be a team of Norwegians, and not Americans. Respect the original by keeping it as accurate as possible. How much you wanna bet though the continuity will be shit?
All I know is that they better keep the style of the film very 80s-like, and that it better be a team of Norwegians, and not Americans. Respect the original by keeping it as accurate as possible. How much you wanna bet though the continuity will be shit?
 
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dex14
9:30AM on 02/08/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Final Destination 3 wasnt a leading role?
Final Destination 3 wasnt a leading role?
 
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schwarzgerät
9:22AM on 02/08/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Will she be playing that Norwegian guy with the beard?
Will she be playing that Norwegian guy with the beard?