Last December, another reboot of theHalloweenfranchise was canceled as Dimension Films lost therightsto this iconic horror property. After rumors of a new TV show surfaced, horror fans were treated to the surprising news that the originalHalloweendirectorJohn Carpenterwas boarding the new remake as an executive producer, with producerJason Blum’s Blumhouse now controlling the franchise rights. We haven’t heard a whole lot about the project since then, but today we have an update fromJohn Carpenterhimself, who reveals that the project doesn’t have a script yet. Here’s what he had to say about this new take on the classicHalloween.
“I’ve known Jason for a while, he came to me and said ‘How do you feel about this now that rights have diverted?’ and I said, ‘Sure, why not? I’ll give it a shot and I’ll also try to support the director.’ We don’t have a script yet, so I can’t tell you what it’s about, but I guarantee you it’s aboutHalloween nightand it’s about a masked killer!”
Before the project lost its footing at Dimension,Marcus Dunstanwas set to direct, working from a script he co-wrote with his writing partnerPatrick Melton. The director teased in an interview that he wanted to castCommunitystarGillian Jacobsas the female lead, but that was before Dimension lost the rights. When asked why he decided to be involved in this project,John Carpenterhad this to say, in his interview withDark Universe.
“I found myself bitching all these years about them making another one, so with this one I thought, well, maybe I can get in and help and make something I’m proud of instead of sitting at home grumbling.”
OriginalHalloweenproducerMalek Akkadis producing through his Trancas International Films banner, alongsideJohn CarpenterandJason Blum. Miramax, which retains the distribution rights for the sequel, has not issued a release date at this time, and it isn’t known if the studio is actively searching for a writer or director as of yet.Mike Flanagan, who has become well-known in the horror genre with films likeOculus,HushandOuija 2, has been mentioned as a potential filmmaker to direct this remake, as hasBlair WitchfilmmakerAdam Wingard. There have been recent rumors that the project may be in trouble already, though.
Jason Blumrevealed in an interview last month that they haven’t decided on a filmmaker yet, or even what direction they want to take the movie in, sparking rumors that the project may already be wading into major issues. Then again, it is still in the very early stages, with the producer revealing in his interview that they are talking with a number of different filmmakers, all of whom have different takes on the material. The producer also added in that interview that he doesn’t believe in coming up with a concept and then telling the filmmaker what to do, so it seems that whoever does come aboard to write and direct will have a new vision forHalloween Returns.
