I was shocked when I read the original book for a few things – one was the definition of THE NOTHING – it was much more real in the book – and more shocked that the second movie WAS IN THE ORIGINAL BOOK.
It’s part of the original story. And.. well, I still didn’t like it even after knowing that.
The 3rd movie was a complete rewrite and never should’ve been.
Jason James Richter was a hot commodity at the time, got the starring role. Jack Black was in it – I don’t think he was big ‘yet’.