Say what you will about the current need for Hollywood to go to name-recognition over ingenuity, but one of the products of that trend just got a fantastic actor on board.

According to Shock Til You Drop, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje joined the cast of The Thing which has already begin shooting in sunny Canada.

There’s nothing more about the character, whose name is Derek, but this is a light at the end of the tunnel for anyone who is skeptical about remakes and prequels. At least Universal is hiring some strong talent.

What do you think?