So the fact that the director of House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil’s Rejects, rock star Rob Zombie, is going to direct the remake of Halloween is getting a few people a bit hot and bothered.

Especially that, according to speculation, the film will contain such topics as rape, masturbation and… erm… the “Taking A Shit” mask.

You’re all dieing to hear what I think about, it? Yes, you are. I really couldn’t be anymore excited for this movie. Michael Myers is going to be back on the big-screen! That alone gets me excited. Sure, a 9th film to round off the original series would have been nice, but what we’re getting is even better. A fresh start. A totally fresh start. The continuity of the original franchise is really scratchy now, and another big problem I think the 9th film may have found would have been the lack of both Loomis and Laurie. I mean, do we want what would be essential just another random slasher flick? Halloween: Resurrection was just that. So, in my eyes, a remake isn’t really a bad idea at this stage. Sure, some of the topics that might be featured in the film sound extremely different to what made the original so good. But this isn’t the original. This is Rob Zombie’s Halloween. And I can’t fucking wait.

Way back, just after the film was announced, the first piece of casting was announced. Sheri Moon, Rob’s wife, stated on her official site that would be in the film. “All I can tell you is I am not playing Laurie Strode!” The actress has worked with her husband on his pervious movies, playing Baby of the Firefly Clan (she’s also voicing the character of Suzi X in Rob’s upcoming animated feature The Haunted World of El Superbeasto, as well as playing Eva Krupp in Rob’s fake trailer for the upcoming Grind House, called Werewolf Woman Of The SS). It was announced recently that Sheri’s role in the film will be that of Deborah Myers, the Mother of Michael Myers. Playing her abusive boyfriend Ronnie White is William Forsythe, another fellow Devil’s Rejects cast member. Rounding off the Rejects cast who are also going to appear in Halloween are Lew Temple (Nole Kluggs), Ken Foree (Big Joe Grizzley) and Danny Trejo (Ismael Cruz).

Daeg Faerch is playing Michael Myers. Well, as a child at least. Damn, he just’s so freaky looking, don’t you think?! Jeez. Playing the adult Michael Myers is none other than 6' 10" Tyler Mane (who also had an unaccredited role in The Devil’s Rejects). He’s worked mostly on blockbusters such as Troy, and X-Men for big studios, so I wonder what it’ll be like transferring from those kinds of films to a low-budget horror film?

Michael’s first victim (in the original movie at least!), his sister Judith, is going to be played by Hanna Hall, who starred in in Forest Gump and The Virgin Suicides.

Loomis. Loomis really is the one role Zombie has to cast perfectly. Donald Pleasence’s portrayal of the character in the franchise is so chilling, complex and… frankly, awesome. Will Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange) be able to give such a fantastic performance? Let's hope so!

Laurie Strode’s Mother, Cynthia, is going to played by Dee Wallace Stone (Cujo, The Howling), whilst her Father, Mason, will be played by Pat Skipper (Hellraiser: Bloodline). Yet another horror veteran is present in the cast, this time playing Sheriff Brackett… Brad Dourif! Chucky from the fucking Child’s Play franchise! I’m sorry, but how fucking awesome does this cast look?! Adrienne Barbeau, who starred in John Carpenter’s The Fog, is also going to be in the film… however, her role hasn’t yet been announced by Zombie. The same goes for Clint Howard, Courtney Gains and Daryl Sabara. Cult star Udo Kier also joins the cast, playing Morgan Walker. Sybil Danning, who starred in Howling II, has also joined the cast, and is apparently going to play the wife of Dr. Loomis!

Relative newcomers Scout Taylor Compton and Kristina Klebe, along with Danielle Harris (Halloween 4, Halloween 5, Urban Legend) are playing Laurie, Lynda and Annie! Just looking at the three of them together is making oh so excited. "Totally!", "I forgot my Chemistry book!" and "Six hours of horror movies... little Lindsey Wallace won't know what hit her!" are all coming to mind!

I'll be posting more news on the film as it appears online, so expect lots more banter in the coming months...

Rob Zombie’s Halloween is set for a August 31st release from Dimension Films. However, no UK release date has been announced yet.