‘The Thing’: Mary Elizabeth Winstead on ‘stalking’ Kurt Russell

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A little bit of Kurt Russell must have rubbed off on Mary Elizabeth Winstead when she co-starred with the veteran actor in “Sky High” and “Death Proof.” Now she’s following in his career footsteps as she takes on the lead role in “The Thing,” the upcoming prequel to the 1982 Russell flick of the same name.

“We never really exchanged information, so I’m almost stalking him in a creepy way, like he doesn’t know it, but I’m following his every move!,” Winstead said at the world premiere of “The Thing” on Monday at Universal CityWalk. “It’s been so coincidental but so great, because I love him to death.”

Winstead is what makes the prequel deviate from the 1982 film, which had an all-male cast. Canadian-born actress Kim Bubbs is the only other female cast member in the 2011 version. Though “there definitely was a lot of testosterone,” Winstead said she felt completely part of the boys’ club during the shoot.

“They were so respectful of me and ... wanted me to be a part of everything,” she said. “I never once felt out of the loop.”

With a growing resume in horror films, the actress also opened up about what scares her: heights.

“Even the thought of sky-diving or something [like that] makes me kind of nauseous,” she said.

Costar Eric Christian Olsen, who appears in the new season of “NCIS: Los Angeles,” also shared his biggest fear: sharks.

The movie “Jaws,” he said, “made a big imprint on me, but I still surf like twice a week. I saw a 10-foot great white outside of Point Dume one day, and my heart was beating outside of my chest.”

“The Thing” opens Friday.

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-- Emily Rome