Blumhouse and Lionsgate Team Up for New ‘The Blair Witch Project’ Movie
Blumhouse Productions and Lionsgate have announced at CinemaCon an exciting partnership to revive one of the most iconic horror franchises in cinematic history: “The Blair Witch Project.” The groundbreaking found-footage film, which took the world by storm in 1999, is set to receive a fresh take under the direction of two powerhouse studios known for their prowess in the horror genre.
The original “The Blair Witch Project,” directed by Eduardo Sánchez and Daniel Myrick, captivated audiences with its innovative approach to storytelling and its ability to blur the lines between fiction and reality. Shot on a shoestring budget of around $60,000, the film went on to gross over $248 million worldwide, making it one of the most profitable movies of all time.
Now, more than two decades later, Blumhouse and Lionsgate are joining forces to bring a new installment of terror to audiences around the globe. With Blumhouse’s track record of producing successful horror franchises like “Paranormal Activity,” “Insidious,” and “The Purge,” coupled with Lionsgate’s expertise in distribution and marketing, fans can expect nothing short of a spine-chilling experience.
Details about the plot of the new film remain shrouded in mystery, but given the success of the original’s minimalist approach and its focus on atmosphere and tension, it’s likely that the filmmakers will aim to recapture the essence of what made the first movie so effective while offering a fresh perspective to modern audiences.
Jason Blum, founder and CEO of Blumhouse Productions, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “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,” said Blum. “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.”
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson said the film is a “new vision for Blair Witch that will reintroduce this horror classic for a new generation.”
“I have been incredibly fortunate to work with Jason 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 couldn’t be more pleased to be working with them on this and other projects we look forward to revealing soon.”
As horror fans eagerly await further updates on the project, one thing is certain: the combined expertise of Blumhouse and Lionsgate is sure to deliver a cinematic experience that will haunt audiences long after they leave the theater. With the resurgence of interest in horror and the enduring legacy of “The Blair Witch Project,” this collaboration has the potential to reignite the cultural phenomenon sparked by the original film and introduce a new generation to the terror of the Blair Witch.
