Tommy Lee Wallace was originally offered the opportunity to direct this film, having worked as the editor and production designer on the original film. He had his own thoughts about where to proceed with the sequel, and was excited by the project, however John Carpenter eventually determined that this film would pick up directly from where the original left off. Despite some disappointment in this story direction, Wallace maintained his interest and was still set to direct, with his name even appearing as director in a 1980 trade ad released by Filmways Pictures. When Carpenter finished the script and presented it to Wallace, he was extremely disappointed to discover the intention to make the film as bloody and violent as the original's imitators, which had used such conventions to ensure their success. When it was realized that he had no choice but to include these elements in the film, Wallace withdrew from the project, but he would get his way when he was offered and accepted the next film in the series, Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982).