Summary
James Wan is producing an upcoming horror series that I believe will be a worthy successor toThe Thing. I’m one of the biggest fans ofJohn Carpenter’s movieoutput there is, withThe Thingbeing my personal favorite. This 1982 chiller stranded twelve men in an Antarctic research outpost with a shape-shifting alien monster. Critics ripped the film to pieces upon release, but over time, it’s come to be recognized as one of the best horror movies ever made.
I’m still disappointed aThingsequel by Carpenter never happened, though rumors suggest the filmmaker is involved with a possible Blumhouse reboot. There wasaThingprequel moviethat arrived in 2011, but despite a talented cast, it felt more like an elaborate fan remake than a film that could stand on its own. I’ve loved some other horror movies likeThe Mistthat have evoked Carpenter’s masterpiece, but none have everquiterecaptured what made it so special.
1951
1982
2011
The Thing
Cast
A team of researchers set out to study an alien spacecraft found in Antarctica, where they also discover an alien body on the site. The alien buried in ice is actually alive and has the ability to imitate human form. The group must find a way to distinguish who the real person is from The Thing and stay alive. John Carpenter’s 1982 film is a remake of 1951’s The Thing from Another World and stars Kurt Russel as the hero RJ MacReady.
James Wan has become something of a horror factory over the last 20 years, having co-created everything fromSawtoThe Conjurversefranchise.One project from Wan I can’t wait to see isTeacup, a limited series centering around a group of people stranded in rural Georgia by an alien threatthat entraps them in a dome-like structure. The show is fronted by Yvonne Strahovski, Scott Speedman and Kathy Baker, withIan McCulloch (Yellowstone) acting asTeacup’sshowrunner.
The ominous teaser forTeacupis keeping the premise vague for now, and doesn’t even reveal what the title refers to. Having read the book the show is based upon, I can promise genre fans are in for something special. It has been confirmedTeacupis taking liberties with the source material, butassuming it follows the basic premise, it will involve people trapped inside a force field while an alien with the ability to absorb and control living creatures hunts themone by one.
Teacup Adapts A Great Cult Novel Called Stinger
Teacup brings the Robert R. McCammon book to life
Teacupis an adaptation of the 1988 novelStingerby Robert R. McCammon. This involves the titular alien bounty hunter arriving in a small desert town to hunt an escaped entity that has hidden inside one of the town’s residents.Stingermay take place over a single day, but it features a sprawling cast of characters with some large-scale setpieces.“Stinger” itself is a nightmarish creation that takes over and controls its victims, with the title referring to its preferred method of attack: a barbed, mace-like tail that can reduce victims to red paste with one swipe.
So far,I thinkTeacupbarely resemblesStingerat all based on the teaser images. Instead of an isolated desert setting, the Peacock series relocates the action to Georgia. It appears that outside of the central family unit from McCammon’sStinger, many of the supporting plays have been dropped entirely.Stingeralso reads like an old-fashioned 1950s creature feature, whereasTeacupis opting for a much more restrained and low-key approach.
I wonder if Teacup will show the true form of Stinger itself, which is quite a gross reveal in the book.
Regardless, the show is said to be true to the spirit of McCammon’s book. I have no doubt Peacock’s adaptation will drive new readers toStinger, but the many changes it’s making are only driving my curiosity.McCulloch has cited movies likeThe ThingorA Quiet Placeas inspirations on his show, which will mean a big focus on characters with occasional, terrifying setpieces. It does make me wonder ifTeacupwill also show the true form of Stinger itself, which is quite a gross reveal in the book.
I Think Teacup Will Actually Improve On Stinger
Stinger needed some updating
Much as I enjoyedStinger, it is over 35 years since it was published and it’s dated in many respects.The novel is a blast, but its large cast of characters and overblown setpieces could leave it feeling unfocusedand messy. There was a major subplot involving two teen gangs that felt like it came right out of a 1950s movie, and while this storyline had some commentary on the nature of prejudice, it would feel out of place in a modern-day series.
James Wan-Produced Show Teacup Reveals Eerie First Look Images & Teaser
Teacup, a James Wan-produced TV show for Peacock, reveals its eerie first look images and teaser, alongside a release schedule for the horror series.
Teacupis said to be strippingStringerright back to its core elements, losing the large ensemble and scope to make the horror more intimateand intense. I’m a little disappointed it’s dropping the desert setting too, but so long as it retains what madeStingersuch a fun ride, that’s all that matters. McCulloch has described the adaptation as “a keyhole epic,” (viaCollider), meaning it tells a big story but through a small framework. He seems to be pitching it asThe Thingretold as a family drama, and that’s a pitch I can get on board with.
Teacup
Teacup is a horror thriller series that follows a group of people thrust into the middle of rural Georgia who must face off with an unknown threat to stay alive.
