When John Carpenter was fresh out of school to create his 1978 masterpiece Halloween, he would be unaware how that property would span out of control in the subsequent years and decades. Even when the chief antagonist was beheaded at the conclusion of 1998's Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, Michael Myers would emerge again in tact for 2002's critical flop Halloween: Resurrection.
Now speaking with CBS News as he prepares to develop a 2018 reboot that will bring back Jamie Lee Curtis' Laurie Strode, the 69-year old explained that the new picture will take a leaf from James Cameron's playbook with Terminator 6 and completely overlook all features that fitted in between the 1978 film. With Judy Greer cast as Karen Strode alongside screenwriters David Gordon Green and Danny McBride, the scene is set for an epic October 19, 2018 premiere.
JC Never Wanted a Halloween Part II
One of the great mysteries of the entire series is the character Michael Myers. Was he human, supernatural or something else entirely?
For Carpenter, keeping that question opened-ended was all part of the fun.
"I wanted the audience not to know whether he was human or supernatural," Carpenter said. "He had no character. He was blank. He was simply evil. He's like the wind, he's out there. He's gonna get you... It's what you don't know about, what you can't see is out there."
While his first title would be a global phenomenon, the follow ups always lived in the shadow of that legacy, spanning 7 movies from 1981 to 2002. How is the audience intended to make sense of a 2018 film that has the same chief protagonist and antagonist?
"No story left. There was nothing left to say. Boy, was I wrong!" Carpenter said of the sequels. "It's pretending the other sequels didn't happen."
Beautiful NY Screams Keep 78 Memories Alive
Carpenter has no issue admitting that he was incredibly raw as a creator and director four decades ago. As far as he recalls, it was a chance to meet famous people in famous circles.
"I was just this kid with long hair trying to make a movie with a bunch of cute actresses, that's all. But look what came out of it, though. Yeah, it's great. I was lucky. It was fun. God, it was fun."
Quizzed about the moment he knew he made it in the movie business, his mind went back to one special evening, changing his life in the process.
"I went to New York, I remember this famous screening where I got to sit outside and listen to the audience scream at Halloween. It was like a symphony. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard. They screamed at all the places I wanted them to scream. And I thought, 'Oh man, that's something!'"
Source: CBS News
Comments