Halloween’s Humble Beginnings
The Halloween franchise, known for its iconic slasher film series, has a fascinating backstory, including a surprising revelation about Jamie Lee Curtis’ meager earnings during the 1978 classic.
Jamie Lee Curtis, who made her debut as Laurie Strode, recently opened up about her early career in this renowned horror film.
The Shockingly Low Salary
Jamie Lee Curtis shared that she was paid a mere £8,000 for her role as Laurie Strode in Halloween, which was her first major on-screen performance.
In 2018, she reflected on her initial payday, remarking, “I made $2,000 a week, which at the time was a fortune.”
This figure was astonishingly low, given the film’s eventual box office success.
Low Budget, High Returns
The original Halloween was produced on a modest budget of $325,000.
The filmmakers made cost-saving decisions, including Jamie Lee Curtis purchasing her own wardrobe for the film.
The crew consisted of around 15 to 20 individuals who also economized by sharing an RV throughout the filming process.
The tight-knit group would gather for meals, with, as Curtis puts it, “a friend of somebody” handling the cooking duties, and everyone enjoyed their meals together on the ground.
A Career Beyond Halloween
Despite her initial modest earnings, Jamie Lee Curtis went on to star in several sequels within the Halloween franchise, commanding significantly larger paychecks.
She received $100,000 for Halloween II, $5 million for Halloween: H2O, and $3 million for her cameo in Halloween: Resurrection in 2002.
In 2018, a sequel titled Halloween was released, earning an impressive $77.5 million during its opening weekend.
This marked a significant achievement, as it became the biggest debut for a female-led horror movie and for a film featuring a female lead over the age of 55.
An Unexpected Relationship with Horror
Ironically, Jamie Lee Curtis confessed that she is not a fan of horror or slasher films, despite her association with the genre.
She admitted, “I don’t understand why people like these movies.
I don’t like being scared!” This stands in stark contrast to her portrayal of iconic horror movie roles, including her involvement in the slasher comedy series Scream Queens.
A Swift Production
Halloween’s rapid production timeline is also noteworthy.
Director John Carpenter wrote the entire script for the 1978 film in just 10 days.
The actual shooting took place over a mere 20 days, commencing in the spring and concluding with an October release.
To create a seasonal ambiance, bags of fake leaves were employed to simulate a frosty autumn setting in the film.
Multiple Faces of Michael Myers
The character of Michael Myers in Halloween was played by three different individuals.
Nick Castle, a friend of director John Carpenter from film school, portrayed Myers during most scenes.
Production designer Tommy Lee Wallace also took on the role.
When unmasked, Michael was played by actor Tony Moran, who was compensated a meager $250 for a single day of work, which included just one shot in the film.
Despite its humble beginnings and Curtis’ modest earnings, Halloween has become an enduring classic in the horror genre, with a legacy that endures to this day.
The story of Jamie Lee Curtis’ initial payment for her role in Halloween serves as a reminder that even iconic movies with lasting legacies often begin with tight budgets and humble beginnings.
It’s a testament to the talent of those involved in the film that it went on to become a cultural phenomenon despite its limited resources.
Curtis’ surprising revelation about her earnings adds an interesting layer to the history of this legendary horror franchise.
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