How it's impossible to recast purely cinematic icons

I have to make one argument here.

I think in terms of the individual watching a particular movie it depends on which version the viewer saw first in some cases. I also think bringing up RJ McReady is a bit silly because Kurt Russell isn't the main reason The Thing is so good. What I mean is that The Thing is about what is happening and the monster and effects more than it is about one particular performance or character. This is nothing against Kurt Russell in the movie, because he is awesome. 

You can't remake an Indiana Jones movie or a John Rambo movie without the character, where as you can with The Thing.