10 Scrapped Horror Movie Sequels Much Better Than What We Got

After Halloween 3 was poorly received by audiences due to its lack of Michael Myers, plans to continue the franchise as a series of stand alone films based around the holiday were cancelled. And while the idea of returning to Myers' story wasn't something creators John Carpenter and Debra Hill were interested in, they agreed to stay on the series as producers, with their first job being to come up with a plot for a Halloween 4.

Alongside writer Dennis Etchison, Carpenter came up with an idea that would not only bring the series back to its slasher roots without rehashing what came before but would do so in an interesting, albeit unconventional way.

In Etchison's script, Halloween has been banned in Haddonfield, Illinois. No masks. No trick or treating. Nothing to remind people of the pain that Michael caused back in 1978. But in suppressing the holiday the townsfolk unknowingly bring on Michael’s return, now as some sort of ghostly force made real thanks to their fear. With the Boogeyman having returned, it’s ultimately up to Tommy Doyle and Lindsey Wallace from the original film to try and stop him for good.

While a full script hasn't leaked, some details have. Such as Michael bursting from a pile of pumpkins upon his return and an ending taking place within a Drive-In. But alas it was not meant to be, as producer Moustapha Akkad deemed the idea “too cerebral”, wanting to keep the franchise focused on the basics of Michael being an unstoppable killer. In other words, no room for originality.

Here's hoping that all changes this year with Carpenter's return to the franchise after all these years.