Moustapha Akkad
Carpenter was originally in consideration to be the director for the "Halloween" (1978) sequel project, "" (1998). Since Jamie Lee Curtis, the main actress from the original and the sequel "Halloween II" (1981), wanted to reunite the cast and crew of the original film, she asked Carpenter to direct "Halloween H20: 20 Years Later". Carpenter agreed to direct the film, but his starting fee as director was $10 million. Carpenter rationalized this by believing the hefty fee was compensation for revenue he had never received from the original "Halloween", a matter that was still a contention between Carpenter and "Halloween" producer Moustapha Akkad even after twenty years. When Akkad balked at Carpenter's fee, Carpenter quit the project. Steve Miner assumed directing of "Halloween H20: 20 Years Later", which was a commercial success despite receiving mixed reviews.