John Carpenter helmed and co-wrote Halloween, which introduced audiences to Michael Myers, back in 1978, with a sequel coming in 1981.
John Carpenter “didn’t think there was any story left” to do a Halloween sequel.
The director helmed and co-wrote the horror movie, which introduced audiences to Michael Myers, back in 1978, with a sequel coming in 1981.
However, in an interview with The Guardian, John admitted he couldn’t get on board with movie bosses’ decision to create a followup after the success of the first film – which earned over $70 million at the worldwide box office, on a budget of just $325,000.
He said: “I didn’t think there was any story left. But they — meaning Universal Pictures and the producers — were gonna do it whether I wanted to or not. So what are you gonna do?”
John ended up writing Halloween 2, but opted not to direct the film. After the original and the follow-up, there have been another 11 Halloween movies, and being the originator of both the material and the characters has meant John has continued to earn from each of the films, despite not being involved in the writing or directing of them anymore.
He said: “[Universal] took it out of my hands, but they had to pay me every time they made a movie. I sit on the couch, and a cheque arrives in my hand. What’s wrong with that? I have to admit, with all the rebellion in the world, I am a happy capitalist.”
John has now found success as a musician, touring alongside son Cody and godson Daniel Davies playing his film scores and creating new music.
But he told The Guardian that he doesn’t hold any grudges over his time in Hollywood.
He said: “I’ve had great experiences with actors. I loved working with Sam Neill, Jeff Bridges, Kurt [Russell], and my leading ladies have been great.
“I love them all. I’ve had a fantastic time. Now I’m playing music.
“I mean, it doesn’t get better than this. It really doesn’t.”
John Carpenter: ‘Halloween franchise was taken out of my hands’
