Overview
It kicked off more than four decades ago with one of the best horror movies ever made; however the Halloween franchise has been through quite a few ups and downs over the years. Clocking up ten follow-ups and 11 movies in total so far, the slasher series has delivered excellent and terrible sequels, veered into remake territory, both killed off and brought back its heroine, and completely erased parts of its own past several times. But, like its mask-wearing villain Michael Myers, it always finds a way to go on.
Since 2018's Halloween, that's been especially great news — with the Jamie Lee Curtis-starring, Jason Blum-produced 11th flick in the franchise proving a smart, thrilling horror delight, and ranking second only to the movie that started it all. Indeed, the movie was such a success that two more sequels are set to come from the same team (aka Blum, writer/director David Gordon Green and co-scribe Danny McBride): Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends.
Originally, Halloween Kills was due to hit screens his year, in October — when else? — but, as announced this week by franchise creator John Carpenter, it's now moving back its release to October 2021. As the iconic filmmaker explained via social media, "if we release it in October this year as planned, we have to face the reality that the film would be consumed in a compromised theatrical experience. After weighing our options, we have chosen to push the film's theatrical release by one year".
Fans will now need to postpone their return trip to Haddonfield and their next encounter with Curtis' spirited Laurie Strode and her lifelong nemesis — but, if you're wondering what's in store, Carpenter also unveiled Halloween Kills' first teaser trailer. As the 30-second clip shows, the sequel is picking up where the last movie left off. Cue the iconic, Carpenter-composed theme music, obviously.
Carpenter also noted that the new film has "lined up a cast of legacy characters... alongside some new faces, [and] we aggressively made the second chapter of our Halloween trilogy. It unfolded into an experience that was a creative playground and we feel confident that our misfit pleasures will be seen as an unexpected entry into this franchise".
Check out the Halloween Kills teaser trailer below:
Halloween Kills will release in Australian cinemas on October 15, 2021.