SAEDNEWS: Netflix’s Wednesday brings Thing to life with a mix of practical effects, CGI, and actor Victor Dorobantu’s dexterity, making the disembodied hand a standout character of the series.
According to Saed News, Netflix’s Wednesday, now in its second season, has not only captivated audiences with its dark humor and supernatural mysteries but also revitalized one of the most beloved characters from the Addams Family: Thing, the disembodied hand. While Gomez and Morticia make limited appearances, Thing has remained by Wednesday’s side throughout, serving as both a helper and a source of comic relief.
Thing, a character originating from the 1954 Addams Family lore, was reimagined for the series thanks to the collaboration of visual effects supervisor Tom Turnbull, director and executive producer Tim Burton, and Romanian-born magician and first-time actor Victor Dorobantu. Their goal was clear: to make Thing as practical and lifelike as possible, blending real on-set performance with visual effects.
“Tim wanted Thing composed as much from practical effects as possible,” Turnbull explained, emphasizing that a real actor would perform on set wearing a blue suit, with most of his body digitally erased during post-production. This process was challenging, given that Dorobantu stands over six feet tall, requiring 97% of his body to be removed digitally. Nevertheless, Burton’s insistence and creative vision made the combination of 90% practical effects and 10% CGI a reality.
Casting Thing was equally meticulous. Dorobantu was chosen not only for his physical dexterity and hand attributes but also for his impish personality that mirrored Thing’s playful nature. Rehearsals were extensive, testing every interaction and movement to ensure that Jenna Ortega, playing Wednesday, could engage convincingly with a disembodied hand.
The results speak for themselves. From the first scene—where Wednesday discovers that Thing has been sent by her parents to spy on her—the character felt alive and integral to the story. Ortega’s interactions with the hand, ignoring the human performer behind it, created moments of magical realism that delighted both the cast and viewers alike.
Looking ahead, Turnbull expressed his hopes for Thing’s character arc to expand further in season 2, emphasizing that the hand has already proven its value and popularity with audiences. Thing’s evolution represents not only technical mastery in visual effects but also a successful blend of performance and storytelling that makes the supernatural feel tangible and relatable.
As Wednesday continues to grow in popularity, Thing remains a symbol of the show’s unique approach: combining gothic camp, family dynamics, and cutting-edge visual effects to create something that resonates with modern viewers while honoring the legacy of the Addams Family.
