Halloween’s villain Michael Myers has become a horror icon and a favorite among horror fans, and while many are aware that he was originally referred to as “The Shape”, they might not know why. Back in 1978, John Carpenter brought a horror film simply titled Halloween, which introduced viewers around the world to Michael Myers, a serial killer who escaped from a mental hospital and went on a killing spree on Halloween night, and Laurie Strode, one of his targets and one of the few who managed to escape from him. Though it initially received mostly negative reviews, Halloween is now considered a classic in the horror genre.
Halloween was also the beginning of a franchise that has seen many ups and downs and two retcons: one in 1998 with Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, and another in 2018 thanks to David Gordon Green, along with remakes of the first two films by the hand of Rob Zombie. Though not all films have been successful, they have certainly helped maintain the popularity and reputation of Michael Myers, who is now part of pop culture, being referred to and parodied in multiple occasions in different films and TV shows from all genres.
Though he’s now known by his actual name, Michael Myers was originally referred to by the nickname “The Shape”, which certainly gives a mysterious and dangerous vibe, but why did Carpenter decide to call him that instead of by his name?
Michael Myers’ name is said many times through the first film, so it was never a secret who the killer was, but the end credits have him as “The Shape” instead of his name (except for the six and 23 year-old versions). There’s actually a simple reason why Michael was credited as “The Shape”, and it’s because that’s how John Carpenter referred to him in the script, and in it, the nickname is first used when describing the mask. When watching the film and how Michael is presented in each one of his scenes, it makes sense he was called “The Shape”, as he was hiding in the shadows most of the time.
“The Shape” also has an interesting story that’s unrelated to Halloween, though it might have served as inspiration. This was a term used in the Salem Witch Trials back in the 1690s to describe spectres or spirits accused of doing harm, which actually fits Michael Myers and his actions. Michael Myers is no longer called “The Shape” and is now referred to by his name, which has become a synonym of pure evil, no matter how many retcons Halloween goes through, though the essence of “The Shape” is still present.
