John Carpenter: Box office will predict Halloween’s fate

It may not even be Labor Day yet, but Spooky Season has already started for many. While those obsessed with horror movies already have their fall movie marathons well under way, surely many will be making time for one more. Next month, Halloween Ends comes out…but John Carpenter wonders if it will be the actual “end.”

In a recent interview with The New Yorker, Halloween co-creator John Carpenter discussed his thoughts on the new trilogy, as well as the prospects of its future. “If a movie makes enough money, you can be assured that it will [get a sequel].”

This is more of a hunch from John Carpenter, who actually has only ever directed one sequel, Escape from L.A. (He did uncredited reshoots on 1981’s Halloween II.) While money does indeed talk in Hollywood, it does seem unlikely that this particular trilogy would be extended. After all, it’s called Halloween Ends, not Halloween May or May Not Be Over, Let’s See What the Box Office Receipts Say.

John Carpenter returned to the Halloween franchise for David Gordon Green’s continuation, marking the first time he played a key role since 1982’s black sheep-turned-essential Halloween III: Season of the Witch. For Green’s trilogy, which will more than likely cap with Halloween Ends, Carpenter, along with his son Cody and the talented Daniel Davies (son of The Kinks’ Dave Davies), served as composer. When asked if he ever wanted to give David Gordon Green notes, Carpenter responded, “No. I know my job, and I love it.”

The 74-year-old John Carpenter is, of course, a welcome addition to the new Halloween Trilogy, considering he’s not only the co-creator of the franchise but also one of the best genre composers ever. 

Halloween Ends will be released in theaters and on Peacock on October 14.

Halloween Ends’ official plot synopsis: “Four years after the events of last year’s Halloween Kills, Laurie is living with her granddaughter Allyson and is finishing writing her memoir. Michael Myers hasn’t been seen since. Laurie, after allowing the specter of Michael to determine and drive her reality for decades, has decided to liberate herself from fear and rage and embrace life. But when a young man, Corey Cunningham, is accused of killing a boy he was babysitting, it ignites a cascade of violence and terror that will force Laurie to finally confront the evil she can’t control, once and for all.”

What are your thoughts on John Carpenter’s statement? Do you think Halloween will continue or be rebooted in the future?