H a l l o w e e n: 2 0 Y e a r s L a t e r....
With the success of Scream in the 90s, Jamie Lee Curtis one day decides that Halloween needs an anniversey movie. Jamie, who had been absent from the horror genre for a very long time, due to better movie offers, one day decides to get in touch with Kevin Williamson. Williamson, who is responsible for penning Scream, claimed he wrote Scream because of the memories of one his most favorite horror movies, Halloween.
While Kevin began his early draft of the film, Jamie starts to contact the Halloween creator himself, John Carpenter. John, who at the time was busy on his new horror movie, Vampires, seemed to show a bit of interest in the film. Jamie, also at the same time phoned Debra Hill, the co-writer of the orignial Halloween. Debra seemed interested only if John became involved.
With the orignial director, orignial producer, and the scream queen herself, the 3 stars arrange to have lunch one day. Jamie lays it on the table. She tells of how Scream writer Kevin Williamson is right in the middle of the script and asks John if he will go behind the camera once more to direct the 20th Anniversey Halloween film. John seems interested in the idea. But eventually turns it down due to his busy schedule trying to put VAMPIRES on the screen. Debra, for unknown reasons, pulls out as well.
Meanwhile, Kevin has finished the script. The film went through several titles; Halloween 7: The Revenge of Laurie Strode, Halloween 7: The Return of Laurie Strode were amoung the several titles being thrown around. Eventually it was decided Halloween: 20 Years Later was the best title. While Williamson did pen the first draft, the story was changed in many times. Jamie Lee Curtis herself, was said to be heavily involved in the story. Dimension Films, then hired Steve Miner. Miner, who is responsible for films such as Forever Young, Friday the 13th part 3, and Friday the 13th part 2 immediately begins work on the movie.
The internet in the meantime
went crazy with rumors at this time. At this point, no body knew exactly
what was going to happen in the movie. How would Laurie be brought back?
Its plainly stated in HALLOWEEN 4: THE RETURN OF MICHAEL MYERS, that Laurie
is killed in a car accident. Crazy rumors began on the net. Rumored plots
were: "Laurie Returns from Dead", "Laurie not really dead", or "Halloweens
3-6 forgotten." Ironically, one of the rumors proved to be true. Michael
Myers would return. Jamie Lee Curtis and Laurie Strode would return. But
the concepts of the last 4 films would not.
HALLOWEENS 3-6 would be ignored
in this film. They never happened. This split the HALLOWEEN fan base right
down the middle. Some fans, who were fans of the crazy THORN storyline
protested, while fans of the orignial "evil on two legs" story, applauded
in relief.
The media went crazy about Jamie Lee Curtis returning to the horror genre. Fans applauded in appreciation that their favorite scream queen was returning. Jamie Lee Curits stated in multiple interviews she was doing this for the fans. She thanked the fans for making Halloween so popular and stated this movie was for them.
Halloween H20 was released in August of 1998, and became a very successful movie. It opened at #3 at the box office and made $50 million. The most, of all the Halloween movies and very good for a horror movie. Fans of the horror genre had mixed reviews of the movie.
The movie itself though, left a lot of the majority people dissapointed. The movie tried to go into a different direction than its last few sequels. The musical score was changed to rich orchestra music, instead of the creepy Carpenter theme. Michael, himself, did not even have scars from his previous battles with Laurie (he was set afire in Halloween II, and miraculiously, his skin is perfect in this one.)
The movie itself, tried to cash in on the Scream-type movies. Michael himself, seemed a little bit more "weak". The Boogeyman that was shot 6 times with a .357 mag off a roof (Halloween I) was now getting thrown down easily with a rock to the head.
Reports indicated that original creator of Halloween, John Carpenter, was quite pleased with the film. Debra Hill, also was reported to have liked the film. Jamie Lee Curtis, stated that after H20, no matter how much money was offered, she would not return. But she would soon....eat her words......
