Dimension Films and Trancas International Films have officially announced today that production will start in July on Halloween Returns, a new big screen franchise entry following notorious killer Michael Myers. Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton, the writers behind a number of the Saw films, have written the script, which is said to offer “a terrifying new installment of the classic franchise originated by John Carpenter.” Dunstan will also direct the film. Malek Akkad is set to produce with Matthew Stein as executive producer. The log line is currently being kept under wraps.
“Michael Myers has taken a long break from the big screen and we know fans are eager to see him return. We are excited to be back in business with Trancas and look forward to bringing one of the scariest installments of this classic franchise to audiences worldwide,” said Bob Weinstein, co-chairman The Weinstein Company & Dimension Films.
“The legacy of ‘Halloween’ is something that Trancas is very proud of, and I look forward to working together again with Bob and Dimension to continue that tradition,” said Akkad. Dunstan and Melton are repped by Paradigm, Underground’s Trevor Engelson and attorney Dave Feldman. Overseeing production for Dimension Films are EVP of Production and Creative Affairs, Matthew Signer, SVP of Production and Development and Keith Levine.
The last big screen performances for Michael Myers were in Rob Zombie’s Halloween (2007) and Halloween II (2009).
UPDATE: ShockTillYouDrop.com has learned some additional details about the upcoming sequel. Apparently, Halloween Returns will follow the events of 1981’s Halloween 2 and will attempt to pave a new continuity from there. According to Shock, the new film will follow the first sequel’s Deputy Gary Hunt, now a sheriff.
