The Halloween franchise is a beloved horror series, but Halloween Kills (2021) left fans divided. With a bold decision to ignore most of the franchise's continuity, the film made a staggering $260 million at the box office. But what happened behind the scenes? And why did it spark such controversy?
A Direct Sequel to the Original
The filmmakers took a risk by making a direct sequel to the 1978 classic, potentially angering loyal fans. However, the gamble paid off, and the sky seemed to be the limit for director David Gordon Green and his team. But then, a pivotal moment arrived: "Evil Dies Tonight!" With returning characters, a hospitalized Laurie Strode, and Michael Myers' fiery escape from the previous film, Halloween Kills took an unexpected turn.
A Trilogy in the Making
Initially, Halloween Kills was planned to be shot back-to-back with the 2018 Halloween film, with writer Jeff Fradley's idea for a two-part story. But Danny McBride suggested a more cautious approach, wanting to gauge the audience's reaction to the 2018 film. Once the success was confirmed, the second film was greenlit, with Scott Teems joining McBride and Green on writing duties. The cast, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, and Andi Matichak, was announced in July 2019, along with the titles and release dates for the sequels, Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends.
A Change of Plans and Location
The plan to film both sequels back-to-back was
