Morgan Creek pacts for 'Thing' co-financing

Morgan Creek Prods. originates aboard to co-finance manufacture of Universal's approaching reboot of ''The Factor.'' The agreement, introduced Monday morning, provides the pic is going to be co-distributed worldwide through the two companies. Universal will distribute ''The Thing'' in certain worldwide areas on Morgan Creek's account and retain distribution privileges in a lot of the world while Morgan Creek will distribute through its network of partners within the remainder. The businesses didn't specify which areas each would handle. Universal is delivering ''The Thing'' within the U . s . States on March. 14. ''We are content to grow our relationship with Universal and anticipate joining up on more pictures later on,'' stated Morgan Creek topper James G. Robinson. ''As a large fan of John Carpenter's 1982 film, I am very excited that people are participating with this particular companion piece.'' ''Morgan Creek is a welcome partner in multiple capabilities for several years, and we are very happy to have this chance to carry on to construct our companies together,'' stated Ron Finkelstein, Universal's vice chairman. Universal presently distributes Morgan Creek's productions within the U . s . States, including ''Dream House,'' directed by Jim Sheridan and going to be out Sept. 30. Morgan Creek can also be in preproduction on the Tupac Shakur biopic. The brand new version of ''The Factor,'' continues to be developed like a prelude to Carpenter's film of the identical title and it is occur Antarctica in a remote outpost where researchers uncover a shape-shifting alien creature. Pic's directed by Matthijs van Heijningen and created by Strike Entertainment's Marc Abraham and Eric Newman. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com