20 Things You Didn't Know About The Thing
4. Lee Van Cleef, Brian Dennehy & Donald Pleasence Almost Played Supporting Roles
Beyond the host of actors who were considered for the two main roles, the wider ensemble cast also attracted a host of appealing - and very famous - performers.
For the role of station commander Garry (Donald Moffat), the inimitable Lee Van Cleef, who appeared in Carpenter's Escape from New York the year prior, was in consideration.
Elsewhere the great Brian Dennehy was in the running to play Dr. Copper, to the point that Carpenter allegedly very nearly cast him, and Halloween's Donald Pleasence was actually Carpenter's original choice for Blair (Wilford Brimley), but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts.
Though none of the eventual cast members can be faulted, it sure would've been something to see screen lions like Van Cleef, Dennehy, and Pleasence chewing up the screen together alongside Russell and David.