©Artisan Entertainment/Lionsgate
Blumhouse and Lionsgate are set to revive the beloved Blair Witch Project series with a new movie. The feature is part of a multi-film deal between the studios that will allow Blumhouse to reimagine classic horror projects from Lionsgate, according to Deadline.
The deal comes after the companies collaborated together on the recent supernatural film, Imaginary. The drama was co-written, directed and produced by Kick-Ass 2 scribe-helmer, Jeff Wadlow. The feature has earned $38.2 million since it was released in theaters last month.
Blumhouse’s co-founder, Jason Blum, and its latest distributor decided to include The Blair Witch Project in its new line of revivals in part because of the original movie’s massive success. Made for just $35,000, with its post-production costs driving its budget closer to $200,00 to $500,000, the drama eventually garnered $249 million at the global box office.
As a result, the project became one of the most successful independent films, as well as the 29th most profitable horror movie, of all time. The drama’s massive box office returns also revived the found-footage horror subgenre.
The movie’s success also led to the release of two sequels – 2000’s Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 and 2016’s Blair Witch. Roy Lee, who produced the franchise’s latest entry, will return to the series for the new installment.
Lionsgate film chair Adam Fogelson and Blum announced the news of The Blair Witch Project‘s revival together. The distribution executive noted that he has been incredibly fortunate to work with Blum many times over the years.
“We forged a strong relationship on The Purge when I was at Universal, and we launched STX with his film The Gift. There is no one better at this genre than the team at Blumhouse,” Fogelson said in a statement. “We are thrilled to kick this partnership off with a new vision for Blair Witch that will reintroduce this horror classic for a new generation. We couldn’t be more pleased to be working with them on this and other projects we look forward to revealing soon.”
Blum credited Blair Witch for helping pave the way for his own hit found-footage franchise, Paranormal Activity. He said: “I don’t think there would have been a Paranormal Activity had there not first been a Blair Witch, so this feels like a truly special opportunity and I’m excited to see where it leads.”
The producer also shared: “I’m very grateful to Adam and the team at Lionsgate for letting us play in their sandbox. I’m a huge admirer of The Blair Witch Project, which brought the idea of found-footage horror to mainstream audiences and became a true cultural phenomenon.”
Fogelson, the chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, and Blum, who also serves as the CEO of Blumhouse, announced the news of the Blair Witch Project‘s reimagining during Lionsgate’s CinemaCon presentation in Las Vegas. The distributor is currently operating Escape Blair Witch, one of the city’s most popular escape room experiences.
The anticipated project marks the first movie in a multi-picture agreement with Blumhouse reimagining horror classics for Lionsgate. Blumhouse also has a first-look deal with Universal Pictures.
Plot details about the new Blair Witch Project have not been yet revealed. But Fogelson referred to the feature a “new vision for Blair Witch that will reintroduce this horror classic for a new generation.”
Blumhouse has also released several newer breakout genre hits recently, including M3GAN and Five Nights at Freddy’s. The production company’s films have generated nearly $6 billion at the worldwide box office. That feat is even more notable because the company is known for not spending much money on production costs.
Upon its theatrical release 25 years ago, The Blair Witch Project, its distributor, Artisan Entertainment, alleged the feature’s plot was based on a true story. The drama was written and directed by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, and stars Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams and Joshua Leonard.
The movie follows three student filmmakers who disappear in the woods. Their lives are put into danger while they’re making a documentary about the legend of the titular Blair Witch.
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