‘Halloween’ Co-Writer Danny McBride Says He Doesn’t Want To “Ruin Too Many Childhoods” With New Sequel

With every revival, remake, or reboot of a major franchise, you can expect that there will be a selection of die-hard fans that will cry, “No, not [insert favorite franchise]! They can’t do that!” And then you’ll get the hyperbolic statements saying that so-and-so filmmaker has “ruined my childhood.” Or some such nonsense.

This fact is not lost on Danny McBride. The actor, best known for his roles in “Eastbound & Down,” “Vice Principals,” “Pineapple Express,” and “This is the End,” is taking a role behind-the-scenes of the upcoming “Halloween” reboot/sequel. McBride, along with director David Gordon Green and Jeff Fradley, is one of the writers on the highly-anticipated upcoming film. And in an interview with IndieWire, he knows that tackling a franchise reboot in 2018 comes with some added baggage. Namely, whiny fans.

READ MORE: Director David Gordon Green Says There Were 80 Drafts Of The ‘Halloween’ Reboot Script

When talking about any concerns about fan reaction, McBride said:

“I hope this thing tips more into the world of people liking it. I hope we don’t ruin too many childhoods. I think it will be interesting for people to see what David Green has pulled off as a director, going from things like ‘Stronger’ and ‘Pineapple Express’ and being able to segue into something that’s just straight, gritty horror. I’m always impressed with the different genre hats that David finds himself putting on, and I think people will be pleased with what he’s done here.”

Early buzz on the film seems to point to a favorable reaction by fans. The first trailer for “Halloween” quickly went viral, and the fact that Blumhouse Productions is overseeing the film gives a stamp of approval that many horror fans are looking for. Oh yeah, and just to ensure classic fans know that the folks behind “Halloween” are respecting the original film, Jamie Lee Curtis is returning to the mix, as is original mastermind John Carpenter, who is writing the new score.

All told, it sounds like McBride and Co. are aware that people will be extra critical going into this new horror film, and they’re taking every chance to assure fans that they have nothing but the best intentions.

We’ll see how it pays off when “Halloween” hits the festival circuit next month, premiering at TIFF and showing at Fantastic Fest before arriving in theaters on October 19.