CREATORVC,the brains behind the hit documentariesAliens ExpandedandIn Search of Darkness, are back with their latest venture,The Thing Expanded. This new documentary dives deep into every nook and cranny ofJohn Carpenter’s1982 sci-fi-horror classic,The Thing. And guess what? Fans can look forward to an exclusive, brand-new interview with the legendary John Carpenter himself. Directed byIan Nathanand produced byRobin Block, David Weiner,andJosh Weiss,The Thing Expandedpromises to be the ultimate companion to Carpenter’s chilling masterpiece. With the pre-sale running from August 8 to July 17, 2025, fans can get their names in the credits andjoin this thrilling journey by signing up now.
WithThe Thing Expanded, the CREATORVC team is tackling what many consider the ultimate horror film. The documentary will featurean in-depth analysis led by Carpenter, including a wealth of memories, stories, facts, rabbit-hole tangents, andfan theories about the 1982 filmand its origins and influences. It will also cover the 2011 prequel, the video game sequel, RPG, comics, merchandise, and the originalJohn W. CampbellnovellaWho Goes There?.
To mark the launch of the pre-sale, Collider spoke with Ian Nathan last month to get his thoughts on the project, the inspirations behind it, and what he hoped fans would gain from engaging with it. This interview took place before the exciting news that Carpenter would be interviewed. So, whyThe Thing? When asked what inspired this choice, Nathan explains:
“After doingAliens Expandedand developing the idea of this expanded format, which was to take one film and give it an epic treatment, we wanted to see if we could bring that macroscopic viewpoint but just directed towards one film. The history of CREATORVC is that they did this series of documentaries on genre over eras —In Search of Darkness,In Search of Tomorrow— covering a whole era in great detail. The idea of the Expanded format was, could we do the same treatment for a single film?”
The Thingstood out as a perfect candidate due to its complex story and rich thematic elements. UnlikeAliens, which presents everything clearly and straightforwardly,The Thingthrives on ambiguity and mystery. “Carpenter’s approach generates a lot of debate and fan theories. I decided to delve into the intricacy of what people think and draw from the film,” Nathan says. One of the unique aspects ofThe Thing Expandedis its fan-driven approach. Nathan emphasized the importance of fan input in shaping the direction of the documentary. He said:
“There’s a fan community out there that knows so much more about the film than I do. I know a lot and love it, but there arepeople who have dedicated themselves to studying it, imagining it, and theorizing about it.Their insights are invaluable. Hollywood often underestimates fans, treating them like children, but they are incredibly sophisticated and clever. I want to bring their theories and love into the documentary."
“Hollywood Treats Fans Like Children”
Nathan appreciates the depth and intelligence of the fan community, which he sees as an essential resource for the documentary. “It’s one thing I think Hollywood is totally unaware of.They treat fans rather like children.They say, ‘Oh, give them toys. Make sure they have this thing…’ when actually it’s a really sophisticated fandom, really clever and really impressive. I’m a little bit in awe of it, and a little bit terrified by it because you don’t want to let them down. You want to be respected and admired by them.”
Despite its initial lukewarm reception,The Thinghas grown into a cult classic with enduring relevance. “It’s amazing how relevant it remains. Great art is adaptable to any era.The Thingwas seen as a metaphor for the AIDS crisis, and now, coming out of COVID, the idea of a mutating pandemic resonates deeply. The film’s themes of distrust and survival are timeless,” Nathan said. Nathan’s personal connection toThe Thingruns deep. Recalling his first viewing experience, he says:
“I first watchedThe Thingwhen I was either 15 or 16. A few friends and I bunked off school on Sports Day and watchedAlienandThe Thingat a friend’s house. It was a life-changing afternoon. I didn’t know it at the time, but those films planted seeds that grew into my career.The Thing’shorror, special effects, andKurt Russell’s performanceleft a lasting impression on me.”
When it comes to dissecting a beloved film so intensely, Nathan admits there is always a fear of becoming too familiar with it. “There’s always a fear that you might get tired of it, but if the film is strong enough, it will endure. BothThe ThingandAliensareextraordinary pieces of storytelling. The power of story is so strong that you’re able to watch them repeatedly and still be drawn in. It’s about the force of the narrative and the human need for stories.”
The Thingwas not well-received initially, a point Nathan finds crucial to explore in the documentary. “Contextualization is important. We’ll explore the early 1980s, the science fiction landscape, and Hollywood at the time," he explained. “The Thingwas born out of sync with its era. It was a time when audiences wanted feel-good science fiction, andThe Thingoffered cynicism and human coldness. Yet, its story has endured, becoming a classic. We’ll analyze why it wasn’t initially appreciated and how it has grown in stature over time.”
Ultimately,The Thing Expandedaims to be more than just a documentary; it strives to be a conversation with fans. “I hope it’s like a conversation with your best mate about a film you both love. It’s meant to remind fans why they loveThe Thingin an engaging and insightful way. The fans are an immeasurable resource, andtheir input shapes the documentary. It’s for the fans, by the fans, and shaped by their passion and intelligence.”
The Thing Expandedpromises to be a captivating exploration of one of the most intriguing and enduring films in the sci-fi-horror genre. With the combined efforts of Ian Nathan, CREATORVC, and the passionate fan community, this documentary is set to offer new perspectives and insights that will resonate with fans old and new.
Fans can join the expedition and be part of this definitive companion documentaryby signing up today. The pre-sale runs fromAugust 8 to June 12, 2025. This is a unique opportunity for fans to deepen their understanding and appreciation of John Carpenter’s 1982 classic and to see their names in the credits ofThe Thing Expanded. In the meantime,The Thingis available to stream on Apple TV+.
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.
Watch on Apple TV+
