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Which Classic Character Is Back For ‘Halloween Returns’?!

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Yesterday, we reported that the Halloween franchise will be roaring back to life this summer when production begins on Halloween Returns.  Written by Patrick Melton & Marcus Dunstan and directed by the latter, it will be a standalone return to the original franchise, eschewing the Rob Zombie duology of the ’00s.  This latest entry to rejuvenate the saga of The Shape will presumably take place during the present as two teens (one the child of a victim of Michael, the other the daughter of a Myers-obsessed cop) sneak in to witness the execution of Michael Audrey Myers, who is now on death row.  Naturally, he escapes and the boogeyman is unleashed on Haddonfield once more.

Yes, as with Texas Chainsaw 3D, another classic slasher franchise will be ignoring its remake years and going back to the old ways.  Will any classic characters be returning alongside Michael?  According to STYD, the answer is a big fat “YES”.

Shock has learned Halloween II’s Deputy Gary Hunt—who you may remember from the 1981 sequel as the blonde officer who accompanies Dr. Loomis to the school on the night he came home—appears in Halloween Returns, now as sheriff.

So now we know exactly who that teen’s father is and which films specifically count when it comes to Halloween Returns‘ own continuity:  Halloween (1978) and Halloween II (1981).  Does this mean that the other sequels don’t count?  No.  I’m sure fans will spend the next few decades arguing over whether this film fits the initial continuity (Halloween through The Curse of Michael Myers) or the revised continuity (H1 & H2, plus H20 & Resurrection) or a new continuity all to itself.  I’m sure the producers will officially state the latter, but unofficially leave things vague enough in interviews and the film itself so as not to alienate each subset of fans.  I’m also sure that it really won’t matter in the long run.

HalloweenHunt

What does matter?  The quality of Halloween Returns itself and, to a far lesser degree, its ability to revive and sustain the franchise into the future.  Even a fan like myself can admit that most entries in this series are passable at best, so it would be nice to have another outright winner in the group.  Here’s hoping Halloween Returns ends up being just that.  In the meantime, watch this space for further announcements. Shooting begins next month, so casting and further story details are imminent.

Speaking of casting, I don’t expect Hunter von Leer to return to the role of Gary Hunt here.  While I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to the idea, a quick look at his resume shows that he hasn’t worked in over a decade and it’s highly likely that the producers will want to cast a name actor of similar age (probably genre veteran) in the part instead.

Devourer of film and disciple of all things horror. Freelance writer at Bloody Disgusting, DVD Active, Cult Spark, AndersonVision, Forbes, Blumhouse, etc. Owner/operator at The Schlocketeer.

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‘Final Destination: Bloodlines’ Adds “Chucky” Actor Teo Briones and More to Lead Cast

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Chucky Actor Teo Briones
Pictured: Teo Briones in "Chucky" Season Two

The Final Destination franchise is returning to life with Final Destination: Bloodlines. With filming now underway, THR reports that three actors have joined the lead cast, including “Chucky” actor Teo Briones.

Brec Bassinger (“Stargirl”) and Kaitlyn Santa Juana (The Friendship Game) join Teo Briones, who played Junior Wheeler in season two of “Chucky,” as the leads in the sixth installment of the horror franchise.

Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein (Freaks) are directing the fresh installment that also includes Richard Harmon (“The 100”, Grave Encounters 2), Anna Lore, Owen Patrick Joyner, Max Lloyd-Jones (The Book Of Boba Fett), Rya Kihlstedt (Obi Wan Kenobi), and Tinpo Lee (The Manor) among the cast.

Production is now underway in Vancouver.

What can we expect from the upcoming Final Destination 6? Speaking with Collider, franchise creator Jeffrey Reddick offered up an intriguing (and mysterious) tease last year.

“This film dives into the film in such a unique way that it attacks it from a different angle so you don’t feel like, ‘Oh, there’s an amazing setup and then there’s gonna be one wrinkle that can potentially save you all that you have to kind of make a moral choice about or do to solve it.’ There’s an expansion of the universe that – I’m being so careful,” Reddick teased.

Reddick continued, “It kind of unearths a whole deep layer to the story that kind of, yes, makes it really, really interesting.”

Final Destination: Bloodlines is written by Lori Evans Taylor (“Wicked Wicked Games”) and Guy Busick (Scream), with Jon Watts (Spider-Man: No Way Home) producing.

Producers on the new movie for New Line Cinema also include Dianne McGunigle (Cop Car) as well as Final Destination producers Craig Perry and Sheila Hanahan Taylor.

This will be the sixth installment in the hit franchise, and the first in over ten years. Each film centers on “Death” hunting down young friends who survive a mass casualty event.

The latest entry is expected in 2025, coinciding with the original film’s 25th anniversary.

 

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