The Thing -- Blumhouse remake based on Frozen Hell
#1
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The Thing -- Blumhouse remake based on Frozen Hell
As most are aware, John Carpenter’s The Thing and the film that preceded it, 1951’s The Thing from Another World, were both adaptations of the novella Who Goes There?, penned by John W. Campbell Jr. It was first published in the August 1938 issue of Astounding Science Fiction, and an expanded, never-before-seen version was recently unearthed.
Back in 2018, John Betancourt announced the discovery of a novel-length version of the classic novella, and he took to Kickstarter to fund the release of the novel, titled Frozen Hell.
Betancourt explained, “In 1938, acclaimed science fiction author John W. Campbell published the novella Who Goes There?, about a team of scientists in Antarctica who discover and are terrorized by a monstrous, shape-shifting alien entity. The story would later be adapted into John Carpenter’s iconic movie The Thing (following an earlier film adaptation in 1951). The published novella was actually an abridged version of Campbell’s original story, called Frozen Hell, which had to be shortened for publication. The Frozen Hell manuscript remained unknown and unpublished for decades, and it was only recently rediscovered.”
“Frozen Hell expands the Thing story dramatically, giving vital backstory and context to an already incredible tale.”
This week, Betancourt has provided an incredibly exciting update on the fully-funded project, announcing that Blumhouse and Universal Studios are adapting Frozen Hell!
“The movie will be from Universal and Blumhouse. Everyone is super excited about it, and it’s being fast-tracked,” Betancourt explains, expanding upon an announcement that was actually first made by producer Alan Donnes over on Facebook this past Friday.
Donnes wrote, “It’s OFFICIAL! I received my signed contract and first check! I am Executive Producing a remake of THE THING but with additional chapters of John Campbell’s groundbreaking novel, Frozen Hell, that had been lost for decades. Now, for the first time ever, Campbell’s full vision will be realized on the big screen. The new film will include the very best of RKO’s THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD, John Carpenter’s classic THE THING and both books, Frozen Hell and Who Goes There?”
Just to be sure, we did some of our own digging and our sources have confirmed that all of this is true. And of course, we’ll continue to update on the project as we learn more.
Back in 2018, John Betancourt announced the discovery of a novel-length version of the classic novella, and he took to Kickstarter to fund the release of the novel, titled Frozen Hell.
Betancourt explained, “In 1938, acclaimed science fiction author John W. Campbell published the novella Who Goes There?, about a team of scientists in Antarctica who discover and are terrorized by a monstrous, shape-shifting alien entity. The story would later be adapted into John Carpenter’s iconic movie The Thing (following an earlier film adaptation in 1951). The published novella was actually an abridged version of Campbell’s original story, called Frozen Hell, which had to be shortened for publication. The Frozen Hell manuscript remained unknown and unpublished for decades, and it was only recently rediscovered.”
“Frozen Hell expands the Thing story dramatically, giving vital backstory and context to an already incredible tale.”
This week, Betancourt has provided an incredibly exciting update on the fully-funded project, announcing that Blumhouse and Universal Studios are adapting Frozen Hell!
“The movie will be from Universal and Blumhouse. Everyone is super excited about it, and it’s being fast-tracked,” Betancourt explains, expanding upon an announcement that was actually first made by producer Alan Donnes over on Facebook this past Friday.
Donnes wrote, “It’s OFFICIAL! I received my signed contract and first check! I am Executive Producing a remake of THE THING but with additional chapters of John Campbell’s groundbreaking novel, Frozen Hell, that had been lost for decades. Now, for the first time ever, Campbell’s full vision will be realized on the big screen. The new film will include the very best of RKO’s THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD, John Carpenter’s classic THE THING and both books, Frozen Hell and Who Goes There?”
Just to be sure, we did some of our own digging and our sources have confirmed that all of this is true. And of course, we’ll continue to update on the project as we learn more.
#2
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: The Thing -- Blumhouse remake based on Frozen Hell
Ugh.
#3
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: The Thing -- Blumhouse remake based on Frozen Hell
Please for the love of God don’t call it the Thing. Call it Who Goes There, Frozen Hell or Space Monsters On Ice, just please not The Thing.
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Why So Blu? (01-27-20)
#4
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Re: The Thing -- Blumhouse remake based on Frozen Hell
Don't call it Space Monsters on Ice please, that's my screenplay!
#6
Re: The Thing -- Blumhouse remake based on Frozen Hell
They just remade it though.
If they're going to remake it, at least do something really different. Like from the creature's point-of-view, and the humans are the bad guys.
Weren't both The Thing remakes unsuccessful box-office wise? Why do they keep going back to this?
If they're going to remake it, at least do something really different. Like from the creature's point-of-view, and the humans are the bad guys.
Weren't both The Thing remakes unsuccessful box-office wise? Why do they keep going back to this?
#7
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: The Thing -- Blumhouse remake based on Frozen Hell
They probably keep going back since At The Mountains Of Madness would cost a fortune and some consider it unfilmable. The Thing is as close as they can get.
#8
Re: The Thing -- Blumhouse remake based on Frozen Hell
But why would they go back to it in order to adapt a story that's not known by the general public? Couldn't they just make ATMOM and just scale it down?
I think the faster succession of remakes, the more diluted the IP gets. I like it better when there's a drastic difference. Old-timey B&W>modern color, foreign language>english/American market.
#13
Re: The Thing -- Blumhouse remake based on Frozen Hell
The published novella was actually an abridged version of Campbell’s original story, called Frozen Hell, which had to be shortened for publication. The Frozen Hell manuscript remained unknown and unpublished for decades, and it was only recently rediscovered.”
“Frozen Hell expands the Thing story dramatically, giving vital backstory and context to an already incredible tale.”
“Frozen Hell expands the Thing story dramatically, giving vital backstory and context to an already incredible tale.”
#15
Re: The Thing -- Blumhouse remake based on Frozen Hell
A good remake of a John Carpenter film has yet to come to fruition. I don't see this being the one.
#16
Re: The Thing -- Blumhouse remake based on Frozen Hell
They need to go the Halloween route. Straight up sequel with Kurt Russell show him getting rescued and make the movie set years later...
#17
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: The Thing -- Blumhouse remake based on Frozen Hell
#18
Moderator
Re: The Thing -- Blumhouse remake based on Frozen Hell
I want Rob Zombie to do this one. We can get 1 hour 45 minutes about MacReady's childhood, and 15 minutes recreating the 1982 film at the end.
#20
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Thing -- Blumhouse remake based on Frozen Hell
The Things by Peter Watts : Clarkesworld Magazine - Science Fiction & Fantasy
#21
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Thing -- Blumhouse remake based on Frozen Hell
The Amazon reviews of the book seem to indicate that the full "novel," with an extra 45 pages, read like a rough draft of the novella, and the bulk of the new material is contained in a prologue that was cut.
https://smile.amazon.com/Frozen-Hell...dp/B07P7JCPT4/
https://smile.amazon.com/Frozen-Hell...dp/B07P7JCPT4/
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#23
Re: The Thing -- Blumhouse remake based on Frozen Hell
So if they signed on Kurt Russell and concocted a way that he got out alive for a sequel, you wouldn't be at all affected by the sheer gall and fuckery of tainting that AMAZING, iconic, ambiguous ending?
#25
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: The Thing -- Blumhouse remake based on Frozen Hell
Good point... who will get this. Leigh Whannell? He was already tapped for the EFNY remake. Add this to the list.