The long-gestating Halloween reboot/sequel/re-imagining/whatever seemed like it was never going to happen – especially after the ill-advised 3D take was cancelled back in December, when Dimension Films lost the rights to the franchise.
But now it seems our prayers have been answered as none other than horror production company du jour Blumhouse have teamed up with Miramax, Trancas International Films and Halloween franchise producer Malek Akkad, in what they’re describing as “a team-up of historic proportions”, to finally bring a new movie to the screen.
The most exciting news, however, comes not with the addition of wunderkind producer Jason Blum, and his house, but the father of Halloween himself, John Carpenter who, as of a press event last night, has signed on to the film as executive producer and creative consultant.
Or, what Blum termed as “Godfather” of the project.
Speaking at the event, Carpenter thrilled:
Halloween needs to return to its traditions. I feel like the movies have gotten away from that… Michael is not just a human being; he’s a force of nature, like the wind. That’s what makes him so scary
On the partnership between Blumhouse, Carpenter, et al, and taking on such a beloved and important franchise, Blum was equal parts enthusiastic and optimistic:
Halloween is one of those milestone films that inspired everyone at our company to get into the world of scary movies, and we are so excited that Miramax brought us together. We cannot wait to find and collaborate with the right filmmaker to give Halloween fans the movie they deserve
The flick is still in the early stages of pre-production at the moment, so details are scarce. But rumours abound that Carpenter, who’s about to embark upon a world music tour, may also be composing the score.
Another note that will please fans of the series is that Blum confirmed a modest budget for the movie, which as Carpenter sees it, is the way it should be:
We made the original Halloween for very little money. At heart it’s just a good, scary story, and that’s why it works. 38 years later, I’m going to help to try to make the tenth sequel the scariest of them all
We’ll keep you updated on the story as it unfolds, but suffice to say Halloween fans should be very, very excited for what’s to come.
