SlashersNo. 4913 · The 2026 edition
Halloween (2018 sequel)
Get a sneak peek at Michael Myers' fresh, terrifying face!
Our own summary of the original — the full post and photos live at comicbook.com.
The makeup artist for the upcoming 'Halloween' sequel reveals exciting changes to the iconic killer's mask.
About this
A ComicBook.com news piece reporting on makeup artist Christopher Nelson's comments about designing the Michael Myers mask for the 2018 Halloween sequel. Nelson explains how the film's 40-year time jump and the original 1978 mask's deterioration shaped his approach, and describes his goal of evoking the character rather than just replicating a prop. He also notes the mask was designed to shift in appearance from every angle, and the film is set to release on October 19.
The list
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Halloween (sequel to the 1978 original) 2018
Set 40 years after the original; Christopher Nelson among the makeup artists; directed by David Gordon Green; in theaters October 19.
Facts from the original
- For the original 1978 Halloween, the production team made the killer's disguise by purchasing a William Shatner mask, distressing it, painting it, and teasing its hair.
- Later films have tried to replicate the iconic Michael Myers visage with varying degrees of success.
- Christopher Nelson is one of the makeup artists on the sequel that was filming at the time.
- Nelson said that because the film takes place 40 years later, the mask would not be the same pristine, beautiful thing it was in 1978.
- Nelson studied 40-year-old masks to see how they broke down and wrinkled.
- Nelson considered the context of the film, asking where the mask is now and where it had been for those 40 years, without revealing details.
- Nelson said he had hundreds of photos and books for reference.
- The original prop was used in 1981's Halloween II before being retired, and it is currently in severely deteriorated condition.
- Nelson said he most wanted to capture the feeling audiences got when they first saw Michael Myers.
- Nelson discussed with director David Gordon Green how the mask would be shot, being careful and strategic and looking back at John Carpenter and cinematographer Dean Cundey's approach.
- Michael Myers has become one of the most iconic characters in cinema history, which makes creating a new mask that honors the original film very difficult.
- Nelson said he wanted to create the character of Michael Myers, not just a mask, describing it as creating a feeling that has an expression.
- Nelson noted the mask looks completely different from every angle it has been photographed, and he wanted that morphing, changing feeling like the original.
- Nelson said he could safely say they accomplished that goal.
- The upcoming Halloween sequel was set to hit theaters on October 19th.
