The Thing

The Thing

R.J. MacReady

Dr. Blair

Nauls

Childs

Dr. Copper

Vance Norris

George Bennings

Clark

Garry

Fuchs

Windows

Norwegian

Norwegian Passenger with Rifle

Helicopter Pilot

Pilot

Computer

Norwegian (video footage)

Dog Thing

Bernie Casey, Isaac Hayes, Geoffrey Holder, Ernie Hudson, and Carl Weathers were all considered for the role of Childs. Hudson almost landed the role, but lost it to Keith David.

The X-Files (1993) episode "Ice" is a direct homage to this film.

The tentacles that Clark sees in the dog cage are whips being maneuvered by Rob Bottin.

When Mac is in the tool shed talking with Blair, the bottle of vodka from which he drinks mysteriously spins 180 degrees. He sets it down with the label facing the camera but in the following shots the label now suddenly faces away.

At the beginning of the movie, a posted sign reads: "United States National Science Institute Station 4". But when MacReady is dictating into the audio cassette recorder, he finishes by saying: "R.J. MacReady. Helicopter Pilot. U.S. Outpost Number 31."

Right after Bennings yells on the intercom to turn the music down and we see his request ignored by Nauls in the kitchen, the following scene that slowly dollies from right to left in the empty medical room, the moving wheels of the dolly and a man in a light blue shirt pushing the dolly are clearly seen in the reflection of bottom and top pane of glass of the stainless steel and glass medical cabinet. Especially visible on the Blu-ray version.

Computer Voice: [moves its chess piece] Checkmate. Checkmate.

Garry: You reach anybody, yet?

Palmer: [arguing about letting MacReady back inside] Let's open the door.