# The Thing

> 2011 film directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.

**Wikidata**: [Q909749](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q909749)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thing_(2011_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-thing-q909749

## Summary
The Thing is a 2011 science fiction horror film directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. It serves as a prequel to John Carpenter's 1982 film of the same name, exploring the events that occurred at the Norwegian research station in Antarctica before the American team's arrival.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. and released in 2011
- Functions as a prequel to John Carpenter's 1982 film "The Thing"
- Has 34 sitelinks across Wikimedia projects
- Wikipedia title is "The Thing (2011 film)"
- Multiple publication dates: October 11, 2011; January 1, 2011; and November 17, 2011
- Wikidata description identifies it as a 2011 film directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.

## FAQs
What is the relationship between the 2011 film and the 1982 film?
The 2011 film is a prequel to John Carpenter's 1982 version, depicting the events at the Norwegian research station that were referenced but not shown in the original film.

Who directed the 2011 version of The Thing?
Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. directed the 2011 prequel film.

When was the 2011 film released?
The film had multiple release dates: October 11, 2011; January 1, 2011; and November 17, 2011.

## Why It Matters
The 2011 version of The Thing matters because it expands the mythology of John Carpenter's cult classic by providing context for the mysterious Norwegian camp discovered in the original film. By exploring the events that preceded the 1982 story, it offers fans a deeper understanding of the alien threat and its impact on the Antarctic research community. The film demonstrates how modern filmmaking techniques can be applied to classic horror concepts while maintaining continuity with beloved source material.

## Notable For
- Serving as a direct prequel to John Carpenter's influential 1982 horror film
- Using practical effects combined with CGI to recreate the creature transformations
- Maintaining continuity with the original film's storyline and visual elements
- Exploring the Norwegian perspective on the alien encounter that was only hinted at in the 1982 version

## Body
### Historical Context and Development
The 2011 film "The Thing" was developed as a prequel to John Carpenter's 1982 science fiction horror classic. While Carpenter's film focused on an American research team in Antarctica, the 2011 version explores the events at the Norwegian research station that were discovered by the Americans in the original movie. This narrative approach allowed filmmakers to expand the universe while maintaining direct connections to the established story.

### Production Details
Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. took on directorial duties for this prequel, bringing a fresh perspective to the established mythology. The production team faced the challenge of creating a film that would seamlessly connect to the 1982 version while utilizing modern filmmaking techniques. The creature effects combined practical animatronics with computer-generated imagery to create the shape-shifting alien entity.

### Release Timeline
The film had a staggered release schedule across different markets and formats. Initial release dates include January 1, 2011, followed by the primary theatrical release on October 11, 2011, and additional distribution on November 17, 2011. This multi-date release pattern suggests various international rollouts and format-specific releases.

### Connection to the 1982 Film
The 2011 prequel directly connects to John Carpenter's 1982 film, which has 54 sitelinks across Wikimedia projects compared to the 2011 version's 34 sitelinks. This connection is significant because Carpenter's film has achieved cult status and is considered a landmark in practical effects and psychological horror. The prequel honors this legacy by recreating specific visual elements and narrative beats that reference the original.

### Cultural Impact and Reception
While the 1982 film has become a horror classic, the 2011 prequel received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. However, it succeeded in expanding the franchise's mythology and providing answers to questions raised by the original film. The prequel demonstrates the ongoing interest in the "Thing" concept and its ability to generate new stories within the established framework.

### Technical Achievements
The film's production team worked to balance practical effects reminiscent of the 1982 version with contemporary CGI techniques. This approach aimed to satisfy fans of the original's groundbreaking practical effects while taking advantage of modern technology to create more elaborate creature transformations and action sequences.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0905372/)
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5. [Source](http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/thing-2011-0)
6. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-thing)
7. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0905372/fullcredits)
8. The Movie Database
9. The Thing. Rotten Tomatoes
10. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0905372/releaseinfo)
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. [Source](http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=thing11.htm)
13. [Sean Haworth - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0370379/#credits)
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