Jason Blum says 'Halloween Kills' is a 'complete movie' that avoids 'Lord of the Rings issue'

Horror producer Jason Blum has sought to reassure fans that the upcoming Halloween Kills will be a “complete movie” rather than an extended teaser for concluding sequel Halloween Ends.

The follow-up to David Gordon Green’s 2018 reboot of the classic slasher franchise is due in October this year, with the trilogy-closer set to follow in 2021.

Read more: Jamie Lee Curtis provides first look at Halloween Kills

Blum confessed to io9 that he had been concerned Green’s first sequel would fall victim to the curse of the middle entry in a trilogy, existing solely to set up the finale.

He described this as the “Lord of the Rings issue”, in relation to The Two Towers, which is often criticised for feeling like a middle story.

“I worried about it until I saw [the second one],” Blum said.

He added: “David worried about it. That it would feel like, remember Lord of the Rings? Like you weren’t getting [the full story]? It doesn’t feel like that at all.

“[Halloween Kills] feels like a complete movie. There’s a first, second, and third act. It has a big end.

“You still know from the end of the second movie where the third movie is going, but the second movie ends in a totally satisfying way.”

Read more: Who’s the deadliest horror icon?

Blum also revealed that the idea for a trilogy came about before the reboot became a success, clocking up $255m (£198m) at the global box office from a budget of just $10m (£7.8m).

He said he had discussions with Green about where the franchise could go next, with the writer-director revealing he had come up with stories for two more movies featuring lumbering killer Michael Myers.

“We started talking about it even before the movie came out,” said Blum. “And then we were lucky enough to get to do it.

“So we finished the second one and we’re about to start the third one. I just saw the second one. It’s pretty good.”

Read more: Universal boss admits Dark Universe failure

Halloween Kills went in front of cameras last September and forms part of a packed slate for Blumhouse in 2020, including Fantasy Island, Leigh Whannell’s modern take on The Invisible Man and the controversially delayed thriller The Hunt.

Halloween Kills is due in UK cinemas on 16 October, with Halloween Ends set to be released on 15 October, 2021.