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.

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.