Horror maestro Jason Blum is reviving “The Blair Witch Project” for Lionsgate.
It’s a fitting pair because Blumhouse is known for its low-budget approach to terror. And the original “Blair Witch Project” had such a minuscule price tag it became one of the most profitable movies ever. Blumhouse is behind the skin-crawling “Paranormal Activity” and “The Purge” franchises, as well as newer breakout hits like “M3GAN” and “Five Nights at Freddy’s.” Blumhouse movies have generated nearly $6 billion at the worldwide box office — and that’s without spending all that much on production costs.
The announcement was made at CinemaCon, the annual movie theater trade show that’s currently taking place in Las Vegas. This film marks the first in a multi-picture agreement with Blumhouse reimagining horror classics for Lionsgate. Blumhouse, which has a first-look deal with Universal Pictures, recently collaborated with Lionsgate on “Imaginary,” a thriller about a sinister teddy bear from childhood.
Plot details have not been revealed, but Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson referred to the film a “new vision forBlair Witchthat 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 bemore pleased to be working with them on this and other projects we look forward to revealing soon.”
Blum will team on the new “Blair Witch” with producer Roy Lee, who previously produced the 2016“Blair Witch” reboot.” The original 1999 “The Blair Witch Project”is allegedly based on the true story of three student filmmakers who disappear while making a film about the legend of Blair Witch.It grossed a monster $248 million and spawned two film franchises. Lionsgate currently operates a Blair Witch-themed Escape room in Las Vegas that’s called Escape Blair Witch.
“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.”
