Blum And Carpenter Talk About The Horror Boom As HALLOWEEN Is Poised For Huge Opening

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Something I discussed quite a bit last year around this time on The Fanboy Podcast was Hollywood’s horror boom. I did a deep-dive on the numbers and discovered that horror films had taken the top spot at the weekend box office in 2017 more times than in several other recent years combined. Audiences have developed a ravenous appetite for scary movies, and that trend seems poised to continue with this month’s Halloween.

While I wrote here a few weeks ago that the film was projected to open to $40 million and “could possibly soar past $50 million” (with either figure toppling the Halloween franchise’s record of $26 million), Hollywood bean counters are now saying the film could rake in a huge $65 million this weekend. According to Variety, something north of $70 million isn’t out of the question either.

The film has a lot working in its favor, not the least of which is the fact that critics are hailing it as a return to form for the beloved horror series. Fans also seem stoked to see Jamie Lee Curtis back as Laurie Strode, and to feel series creator John Carpenter’s presence in the world of Michael Myers again- since this is the first time he’s been involved with the franchise in almost 40 years.

But Carpenter and producer Jason Blum are trying not to get too excited about Hollywood’s horror boom. They know it’s likely to fizzle out just as suddenly as it exploded. And who would The Shape be who kills it? Hollywood itself, by over-saturating the market with subpar horror outings.

At a recent Los Angeles press event for Halloween, Carpenter brought up the way it works in cycles, while also taking a moment to praise Blum for his part in the resurgence of scary movies at the multiplex:

“You’ve got the secret. You haven’t forgotten about Japanese horror, have you? Way back then – you haven’t forgotten. That was a big deal! It went away. And [Jason Blum is] partially responsible for bringing in the new horror stuff.”

Blum then added to the idea that these things come and go, and why:

“My feeling about horror being a big deal right now is that it’s very cyclical. It’s a big deal, so now everyone’s going to make horror movies. There are going to be a lot of crap ones, and then everyone’s going to say, ‘Horror’s not working anymore!’ And then there’s going to be much, much less horror. Then there’s going to be a great one because there haven’t been that many, and they’re not going to get made unless they’re really good, and then there’s the boom.”

Blum would also later add, noting how it was the success of Paranormal Activity that elevated him up to being one of the premier horror producers in the industry:

“Since I started it’s dipped and come down. Paranormal Activity took off, and then it dipped around about five or you know, whatever, I don’t know, four or five. It dipped, and then now it’s ramping back up again. And I guarantee you in 12 months there’ll be so many bad horror movies people will be like, ‘I’m never going to see another horror movie again.’ Because now it’s like, ‘Oh, we can make money if we make a horror movie!’ And then they’re bad… That’s the market. That’s how Hollywood works.”

The man’s got a point.

Still, I’m enjoying this age of great horror films, and I hope it stick around a while longer.

I also can’t wait to see Halloween alongside some Revenge of The Fans contributors, readers, and listeners on October 27. Get the details HERE!

Are you planning on seeing the movie? How are you feeling about Hollywood’s horror boom? Sound off below!

SOURCE: Variety / CinemaBlend