Universal Pictures and Morgan Creek Productions are to co-finance The Thing and will split duties on international distribution.

The studio is set to release the thriller in North America next month per its arrangement to handle domestic on Morgan Creek product. Universal Pictures International will distribute in select markets on behalf of Morgan Creek, however the parties had not confirmed the specific territory breakdown at time of writing.

Hot Australian actor Joel Edgerton from Animal Kingdom, who can be seen in Lionsgate’s new release Warrior, stars in the story of an Antarctic research outpost overrun by paranoia when a creature is unleashed with the ability to replicate into any living being.

Matthijs van Heijningen directed The Thing, conceived as a prelude to John Carpenter’s 1982 film of the same name. Strike Entertainment’s Marc Abraham and Eric Newman are producing.

“We are pleased to expand our relationship with Universal and look forward to partnering on more pictures in the future,” Morgan Creek chairman and CEO Jim Robinson said. “As a big fan of John Carpenter’s 1982 film, I’m very excited that we are involved with this companion piece.”

“Morgan Creek has been a welcome partner in multiple capacities for many years, and we’re pleased to have this opportunity to continue to build our businesses together,” Universal vice-chairman and COO Rick Finkelstein said.    

Universal will release Morgan Creek’s Dream House, with Daniel Craig, Naomi Watts and Rachel Weisz, on Sept 30. Jim Sheridan directed.

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