This gruesome shape-shifting alien creature was featured in John Carpenter's 1982 remake of The Thing.
The Thing alien creature special effect display
When a parasitic alien life-form infiltrates an American Antarctic research station it kills and assimilates other organisms. At one stage it it takes over the form of 'Vance Norris' (played by Charles Hallahan) and in an attempt to escape being burned alive, it separates his head from the rest of the body and sprouts crablike legs, amongst other things.
The Thing movie poster
Rob Bottin was make-up effects creator and designer on the classic sci-fi horror, and responsible for creating the outlandish and over-the-top special effects that are still impressive today.
The Thing alien head
I'm not sure whether this is an original concept model, a prop used in the production of the movie or a reproduction for use in Universal Orlando's Horror Make-Up Show (where it was photographed on September 23, 2010), but regardless it's still an eye-catching creature design.
Buy the movie: The Thing [Blu-ray]
