Nick Castle Reveals The Only Reason He Starred In Halloween

When actor Nick Castle stepped onto the set of the 1978 Halloween, he may have come dressed to kill but he was really just there to learn.

Speaking to ComicBook.com, the man who first donned the Michael Myers mask 40 years ago in the John Carpenter-helmed classic admitted that he only got involved in the film with the hope of picking up a few directorial tricks from the master.

“My only reason for being on the set was to kind of demystify the directing experience for me, because [director] John [Carpenter] was a pal, they were shooting the majority of this near my house, really, and he said, ‘Well, why don’t you just be the guy walking around in the mask and you’ll be here the whole time?'”

When you put it that way, it sounds like a pretty cushy job: add a seminal slasher flick to your résumé, hang out with Carpenter and Jamie Lee Curtis, pick up some filmmaking tips, and all you have to do is act in a role that involves no line or facial expressions.

While the last few decades have seen multiple actors assume the role of Michael Myers after Castle’s initial turn, the Major Payne and Dennis the Menace director is finally coming back to the franchise with Blumhouse’s upcoming Halloween, albeit sharing the role with James Jude Courtney. Though Castle seemingly only has one or two key moments of screen time, the actor has told Bloody Disgusting that his job didn’t end with a quick onscreen cameo (or even a few nostalgic behind-the-scenes photos), but also included a little voice work.

“In the new one, if there’s any interest in comparisons, I do all the ADR breathing for The Shape even though I’m only in it in a cameo.”

You’ll be able to hear Nick Castle in all his ominous, breathy glory when the new Halloween comes out on October 19th. Let’s just hope that director David Gordon Green has also learned a thing or two from Carpenter.