The future ofHalloweenlies entirely with Miramax, as does the promise of a lucrative cinematic horror universe. After an intense bidding war, Miramax has officially secured the television rights to horror icon Michael Myers' franchise. The deal that was inked with Trancas International Films will eventually pave the way for a TV series based on theHalloweenmythology. The Head of Worldwide Television at Miramax, Marc Helwig, said in a statement (perDeadline):
We couldn’t be more excited to bring Halloween to television. We are thrilled to expand our long and successful partnership with Trancas and the brilliant Malek Akkad in introducing this iconic franchise to a new form of storytelling and a new generation of fans.
The head of Trancas International Film, Malek Akkad, said in the same release:
Trancas International Films is extremely enthused to be expanding our long-standing relationship with Miramax, and we look forward to working with Marc Helwig and the entire team in creating this new chapter.
Helwig and Akkad are reported to be overseeing theHalloweenfranchise moving forward in a creative collaboration that could spawn a Michael Myers' cinematic horror universe, since Miramax now control both the film and television rights to the mythology that all began with filmmaker John Carpenter’sHalloweenin 1978.
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The Halloween Franchise Takes Shape
Now, Miramax controls the future of theHalloweenfranchise and its unstoppable killer,Michael Myers, in its entirety on both television and in film. The new collaboration between Miramax’s Marc Helwig and Trancas’ Malek Akkad ensures that The Shape will return despite being ground to bits at the conclusion of directorDavid Gordon Green’sHalloween Ends.
Akkad has been directly involved with the horror franchise since serving as an associate producer on the saga’s sixth installment:Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers. Coincidentally, that was the last time Donald Pleasence played the part of fan-favorite Dr. Loomis before he passed away in 1995. However, the Akkad family has been involved withHalloweensince Moustapha Akkad produced 1978’s seminal film.
Moustapha Akkad gave a then virtually unknown filmmaker by the name ofJohn Carpenter$300,000, plus the extra $20,000 to cover Pleasence’s salary, to make the originalHalloween,which was pitched by Carpenter as babysitters being stalked by the boogeyman. While Michael Myers is known the world over in horror circles as the boogeyman, aka The Shape, Akkad agreed to finance the project because he knew the concept of “babysitters” would resonate with everyone.
45 years later, theHalloweenmovie mythology marches on, but, even though Miramax now controls all the franchise’s TV and film rights, the press release didn’t tease any of their upcoming projects. Although many fans are hoping for something to counter the disappointment of Halloween Ends, there is going to be a lengthy wait before Michael Myers goes on his next bloody rampage.
