Film studio Miramax has acquired the rights to the Halloween film franchise. The Halloween franchise follows the killing sprees of the infamous, unstoppable serial killer Michael Myers, across his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois. Horror film studio Blumhouse recently finished their trilogy of legacy sequels in the franchise, with 2022’s Halloween Ends. Since the original film’s release in 1978, the Halloween franchise is now comprised of 13 installments in total.
Miramax’s Deal Ensures Michael Myers Will Rise Once Again
Deadline first reported Miramax’s securing of the Halloween franchise’s rights. Miramax now has the television and film rights to the franchise, due to a partnership with Trancas International Pictures. The website confirms both studios plan to create a television series and more films based on the franchise, forming a cinematic universe in the process.
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Notably, this is a natural extension of Miramax’s history with the franchise, as they’ve helped produce installments in the past, like Blumhouse’s trilogy.
“We are thrilled to expand our long and successful partnership with Trancas and the brilliant Malek Akkad in introducing this iconic franchise to a new form of storytelling and a new generation of fans,” said Miramax’s Head of Global TV Marc Helwig in a statement. Helwig and main franchise producer Akkad will shepherd this new chapter in the Halloween franchise together.
What The Halloween Television Series’ Plot Could Be And It’s Likely Distributor
One potential idea for a television series for the franchise is to center it on Dr. Samuel Loomis, Myers’ psychiatrist, who is hellbent on stopping his rampage. Loomis’ obsession with Myers’ is a major aspect of Myers’ characterization in the films.
The series could reimagine the original film’s events entirely from Loomis’ perspective, exploring his mission to find Michael in Haddonfield and stop him on Halloween night. In a similar fashion to director Rob Zombie’s remake of the original, each episode’s flashbacks could show Loomis’ attempts to get through to Myers in the mental institution, years before his escape.
Though Loomis’ original actor, the late Donald Pleasence, was a franchise regular, the film series never featured him in the lead role. Loomis was always just the supporting character that provided vital exposition on Myers’ motives.
Considering Miramax’s ties to Paramount, it seems like Paramount + or the Paramount Network may be the Halloween television series’ potential home. Interestingly, Miramax and Paramount have collaborated before on 2022’s Scream and 2023’s Scream VI.
While it remains to be seen how the interconnected storytelling can play out between new Halloween movies and the television series, the franchise heading to television proves you really can’t kill the boogeyman.
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About The Untitled Television Series
Currently, the Untitled Halloween Television Series has no release date, and plot details are unknown. Also, how they plan to turn the franchise into some type of shared cinematic universe is a little bit strange and mind-boggling. Unless there is some sort of plan to move forward with making it more of an anthology story series, which was the intent of the franchise at one point. Case in point, the third movie, Season of the Witch. Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see what they come up with.
What are your thoughts on Miramax and Trancas planning a Halloween television series and a cinematic universe? What do you want the television series’ plot to be? What’s your favorite film in the Halloween franchise? Let us know by giving The Illuminerdi a shout-out on our social media, we’re always watching.
SOURCE: Deadline
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