There’s a buzz-worthy reunion about to occur on the streets of Haddonfield, and everyone is invited! Even Michael Myers…
Yes, Blumhouse and director David Gordon Green have conjured up a Halloween sequel that is decidedly different from everything that has come before. So whereas The Return of Michael Myers and Season of the Witch dabbled in supernatural hijinks and Michael’s next steps, Green’s continuation begins 40 years after the fact, by which point Myers is locked behind bars and Laurie Strode has moved on to become a grandmother.
This alternate timeline also means that the whole sibling subplot has been shelved entirely, as was revealed in the Halloween teaser trailer paraded in front of CinemaCon attendees. Jamie Lee Curtis was also in attendance to warn budding viewers that, yes, the R-rated Blumhouse sequel is every bit as horrifying as we’ve been led to believe, all the while maintaining that old-school spirit that made the original John Carpenter movie so special.
Via Twitter:
HALLOWEEN trailer KILLED. This definitely seems like Laurie's movie. She's well prepared, like a proud NRA member. Enjoys target practice in the woods. Michael's an inmate whose bus crashes and he escapes, takes up the mask again.
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) April 25, 2018
Curtis: “This isn’t the piece of sh*t we made back in the 90s and I apologize for anyone who had to endure it!”
“This movie is hella scary – and you guys please tweet that I said hella.”@jamieleecurtis #CinemaCon #Halloween— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) April 25, 2018
Exactly when this “intense, nostalgic” footage will be released online is up for debate, though given Halloween‘s prime October premiere, we imagine Blumhouse won’t sit on its first-look teaser for much longer – particularly now that the Internet is starting to stand up and take notice. Hell, even those without much of an interest in horror are already beginning to keep one eye on David Gordon Green’s follow-up.
The reactions continue:
First trailer for #Halloween is DOPE! Myers has been locked in captivity for 40 years. He escapes, cue kills.
Strode: I’ve prayed that he would escape for 40 years
Cop: Why would you do that?
Strode: So I could kill him
Super intense trailer; looks bloody and brilliant#CinemaCon— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) April 25, 2018
#Halloween trailer opens with a guy visiting Myers in a loony bin courtyard where he is chained down in place. He walks up behind Myers and holds up the mask; Myers starts shaking.
Jamie Lee Curtis: “This movie is going to scare the living shit out of ALL OF YOU!”#CinemaCon— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) April 25, 2018
And one final helping of Twitter reactions, just for good measure:
There’s a bunch of cool moments in the #Halloween trailer, but I don’t want to ruin the beats for you by spoiling them. Rest assured, it’s thrilling, scary and will reignite your #Halloween spirit. #CinemaCon
— JoBlo.com (@joblocom) April 25, 2018
The first #Halloween trailer just scared the shit out of me. Jamie Lee Curtis is a legend & we are not worthy. #CinemaCon
— Avery Thompson (@avery__thompson) April 25, 2018
We were just the first people to see the trailer for the new Halloween. Even the trailer was scary. The take on the story looks self-aware and smart. Really cool visuals and Jamie Lee Curtis looks badass. Oh man, I can’t wait.
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) April 25, 2018
Horror hits home (and Haddonfield!) when Halloween slithers into theaters on October 19th, and with the first-look trailer seemingly on the verge of release, let’s take a moment to appreciate this excellent snippet, straight from CinemaCon:
“Do you know I’ve prayed every night for his escape?” Laurie asks a police after, amid footage of her practice shooting.
“Why would you do that?” he responds, visibly shocked.
“So I can kill him.”