June 5, 2006 - Dimension Films is adding to the Halloween franchise with a new movie based on the classic horror film by John Carpenter. Rob Zombie, no stranger to horror films or sequels, is taking on producing, writing, and directing duties for a new film in the Halloween movie franchise. Zombie will also supervise the film's music.
The 1978 Halloween film starred Jamie Lee Curtis as a babysitter terrorized by Michael Myers, a mentally ill killer who escapes from an institution just in time for the scariest holiday of the year.

According to the press release issued by The Weinstein Company, Zombie is taking a fresh approach to the project and hopes the new version will appeal to horror fans and a wider audience as well. This new Halloween will not be a 'copycat' of the original film or any of its subsequent sequels.

In the statement announcing the new Halloween movie, Bob Weinstein stated, "Rob Zombie is a gifted musician and performer as well as a talented filmmaker. His vision for this new Halloween is spectacular and I am thrilled to be collaborating with him and to work closely with Malek Akkad to continue the legacy built by his father, the late Moustapha Akkad." Moustapha Akkad founded Trancas International Films and executive produced the 1978 film.

Writer/producer/director Zombie added, "I have been a huge, huge fan of John Carpenter's original film since its release. So when Bob Weinstein approached me about this, I jumped at the chance to join forces with Dimension Films on this amazing project."

Dimension Films is aiming for a October 2007 release.

Source: The Weinstein Company