The Unexplored Potential of a 12-Foot Tall Michael Myers in the Halloween Sequel
Halloween 4 almost introduced an astonishing twist with a towering 12-foot Michael Myers Discover the untold story of this unrealized concept that could have taken the franchise in a mind-bending direction
The Big Picture
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers almost had a drastically different plot, featuring a twelve-foot-tall Michael Myers.
The initial concept revolved around a town that prohibited Halloween festivities because of the past killings and the negative impact on the community. Dennis Etchison's screenplay was approved and forwarded to investors, but unfortunately, it was unable to proceed into production due to circumstances beyond his control.
John Carpenter's Halloween is a pivotal horror film that revolutionized the genre by giving rise to the popular slasher trend of the 1980s. Halloween II, released in 1981, garnered a loyal fan base, but the reception for Halloween III: Season of the Witch in 1982 was disastrous due to its deviation from the iconic character of Michael Myers. Consequently, the franchise fell into a state of despair, allowing Jason Voorhees and Friday the 13th to dominate the slasher scene throughout the decade.
However, in 1988, everything changed with the release of Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers. The film's simplicity, evident in its subtitle, captivated audiences by promising the long-awaited return of Michael Myers. Although some may argue that repeating the same concept may seem repetitive, it was exactly what fans desired. Interestingly, the original script for Halloween 4 experimented with introducing a towering version of Michael Myers, standing at twelve feet tall. This innovative twist, had it materialized, would have irreversibly altered the course of the Halloween franchise.
Image provided by Galaxy International Releasing showcases Halloween 4 (1988), a spine-chilling horror flick.
In this gripping sequel, a decade has passed since Michael Myers' initial killing spree. However, on the eve of Halloween, the nefarious killer makes a terrifying comeback to Haddonfield. His sinister mission? To eliminate his innocent seven-year-old niece. Can the determined Dr. Loomis put an end to his murderous rampage?
'Halloween 4's Original Screenplay Had a Giant Michael Myers
During the 1980s, horror movie novelizations gained immense popularity as they provided fans with an opportunity to relive their favorite films while delving into additional details. Writer Dennis Etchison was responsible for penning the novelizations of Halloween II and Halloween III. In a 2017 interview with Blumhouse, Etchison revealed that he had been offered the chance to write the screenplay for Halloween 4. Recounting the conversation, he stated, "John called me and said, 'Debra [Hill] and I want you to write the script for Halloween IV.'" Etchison proceeded to share his unique concept for the film, explaining, "The idea revolves around a town that, following the horrific murders a decade prior, has completely banned Halloween. They refuse to recognize it as a holiday, prohibiting the use of costumes, masks, and even Halloween candy. Interestingly, Hunt, the deputy from the first two films, has now become the sheriff. Over the course of ten years, the repression and suppression within the town have reached a boiling point, giving rise to subtle indications that the malevolent force is once again among them."
That sounds like a great idea. It would have provided a deeper understanding of how the entire town of Haddonfield was affected by Michael's crimes, not just Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis). The central focus of the script would have been on two teenagers, Tommy and Lindsey, who were being babysat by Laurie on that fateful Halloween night in 1978. Their age would have made them perfect for a slasher movie. However, Etchison took risks with his script. In the climax, Michael attacks people at a drive-in theater. When the town fights back, something incredibly strange occurs, as described in the passage from the script below:
"The SHAPES is caught in the middle of the crossfire, jerking around like a puppet amidst the cars... And then, something unbelievable happens - the SHAPES begins to grow. It seems to draw strength from the bullets, growing taller with every shot! Eventually, the SHAPES swells up to a staggering height of eight...ten...twelve feet."
