Halloween Ends Almost Featured Two Dramatically Different Endings

The final chapter of David Gordon Green’s Halloween trilogy could have ended very differently. Halloween Ends, which concluded the saga of Laurie Strode and Michael Myers, went through several alternate endings before settling on the theatrical version that audiences saw in 2022.

Director David Gordon Green revealed that the production team seriously considered two vastly different conclusions to the franchise. One version would have seen protagonist Laurie Strode meeting her demise, while another would have allowed the controversial new character Corey Cunningham to survive[2].

The Alternate Endings Explained

The most striking departure from the theatrical cut involved Michael Myers’ final fate. Instead of the iconic slasher’s body being crushed at a junkyard, one alternate ending featured his corpse being cremated, with Laurie watching to ensure his permanent destruction[1].

These alternate scenarios represented fundamentally different narrative choices. Having Laurie die would have been a bold but risky move, particularly given the character’s complicated death history in previous franchise entries. Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers killed her off-screen in a car accident, while Halloween: Resurrection showed Michael stabbing and throwing her from a roof—neither death resonated well with fans[2].

The possibility of Corey surviving would have positioned him as a potential successor to Michael Myers, though this approach carries its own risks. Horror franchises have struggled with passing the torch to new antagonists, as evidenced by Friday the 13th Part V’s unsuccessful attempt to replace Jason Voorhees[2].

Why These Endings Were Rejected

Jamie Lee Curtis offered insight into why these alternate conclusions never made it to the final cut. The potential endings were deemed “too intellectual and profound” for the film’s needs[3]. This creative decision suggests the filmmakers ultimately prioritized delivering a more straightforward conclusion over experimental narrative territory.

Fan Reception and Legacy

Despite delivering a definitive end to Michael Myers and allowing Laurie a happy ending, Halloween Ends proved divisive among audiences. The film currently holds a Rotten score on Rotten Tomatoes from both critics and general audiences, with much of the criticism centered on Corey’s prominent role and Michael Myers’ limited screen time[2].

The backlash highlights the challenge of concluding a beloved horror franchise with nearly five decades of history. Halloween Ends faced nearly impossible expectations, attempting to satisfy longtime fans while telling a fresh story. The film’s time jump—skipping four years after the events of Halloween Kills—and focus on a new character proved controversial choices that not all viewers embraced.

Ultimately, the theatrical ending that made it to screens provided closure for the Green trilogy, even if it didn’t satisfy everyone’s vision of how Laurie Strode’s story should conclude. The alternate endings remain fascinating “what if” scenarios that illustrate the complex creative decisions behind bringing an iconic horror franchise to its conclusion.

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Photo by Sammy-Sander on Pixabay