The Halloween franchise rights are once again available for acquisition. This storied slasher franchise, known for introducing the iconic killer Michael Myers in John Carpenter‘s original 1978 film, has various narrative threads. It includes seven sequels across different continuities, culminating in 2002’s Halloween: Resurrection. This was followed by Rob Zombie‘s 2007 remake and its sequel. Notably, director and co-writer David Gordon Green, in collaboration with Blumhouse, crafted a trilogy of films from 2018 to 2022, concluding the chapter of the franchise centred around the showdown between Myers and his intended victim, Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis.

Bloody Disgusting has now disclosed that the Halloween franchise rights are up for grabs once more, with Miramax actively seeking buyers and sparking a competitive bidding frenzy. Miramax is exploring both studios and streaming platforms as potential purchasers, offering the flexibility to adapt the franchise into either a cinematic or television venture.

While the 2022 release, Halloween Ends, was marketed as the franchise’s conclusion, it is likely only the conclusion of the ongoing Laurie Strode storyline featuring Jamie Lee Curtis. Michael Myers, the indestructible antagonist, is a character not bound to any specific actor, although Nick Castle is most renowned for his portrayal in the original film and the new trilogy. Over the years, numerous actors have portrayed Myers in various capacities and age groups.

Given this versatility, it would be more practical to recast the character of Myers than to re-imagine Laurie Strode. If the franchise is acquired by a streaming platform, it appears probable that it will be adapted into a series or miniseries, potentially exploring a Halloween prequel centred on a younger Michael Myers. This direction aligns with the trend of adapting slasher properties for television, as exemplified by shows like The USA Network and Syfy’s Chucky and the upcoming Friday the 13th adaptation of Peacock.

This move could also provide Halloween with a belated opportunity to join the ranks of major 1980s slasher franchises on the small screen. In the past, Friday the 13th ventured into television with a related series known as “Friday the 13th: The Series,” and A Nightmare on Elm Street had its own anthology show hosted by Freddy Krueger, titled “Freddy’s Nightmares.” Should Michael Myers transition to the streaming platform, it would provide creators with an opportunity to explore previously unexplored dimensions of the character and take the franchise in a completely fresh direction.