Lionsgate and Blumhouse’s forthcoming reimagining of the Blair Witch franchise is taking shape. The companies have confirmed that Dylan Clark, who has developed a large following on YouTube and is now breaking into Hollywood, is set to occupy the director’s chair. But that’s not all! The original filmmakers behind the found footage phenomenon that was The Blair Witch Project are also returning to help shape this new entry in the series.
See also: 15 Of The Scariest Found Footage Films After THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT
According to a press release, Joshua Leonard and Michael C. Williams, two of the original stars of The Blair Witch Project, are on board as executive producers of the new movie. What’s more, original directors Eduardo Sánchez, Daniel Myrick, and Gregg Hale will also serve as executive producers. Chris Devlin wrote the screenplay, which Clark is currently rewriting. Clark is also set to direct Portrait of God for Universal Pictures.
This move seeks to right what has long been perceived as a major wrong. Both the filmmakers and many fans have taken issue with the fact that Leonrd, Williams, Sanchez, Myrick, Hale and others haven’t participated meaningfully in the franchise’s continuation beyond the original 1999 smash hit.
The Blair Witch Project was made for pennies by Hollywood standards and went on to make $248 million at the box office, becoming a legitimate pop culture sensation. Taking to Instagram in 2024, Leonard expressed some of his misgivings with the powers that be, saying the following…
“I’m so proud of our little punk-rock movie, and I LOVE the fans who keep the flames burning. But at this point, it’s 25 years of disrespect from the folks who’ve pocketed the lion’s share (pun intended) of the profits from OUR work, and that feels both icky and classless.”
None of the original crew were meaningfully involved with 2000’s much maligned Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2, nor did they have much to do with 2016’s Blair Witch. Now, it seems Lionsgate and Blumhouse are trying to make good after those many years of perceived disrespect. One of the big remaining questions is Heather Donahue, who was also a huge part of the original movie but was not mentioned as a participant in the new movie.
There’s no word yet on how soon production will get underway, nor is there any indication of who will be tapped to star. But with a director in place and the producing team set, things are likely going to start moving pretty quickly, barring any unexpected setbacks.
James Wan, whose company Atomic Monster merged with Blumhouse in 2024, is set to produce the new movie alongside Blumhouse head Jason Blum and Roy Lee. Adam Hendricks and Greg Gilreath are also on board as producers, with Steven Schneider serving as an executive producer. Michael Clear and Judson Scott are executive producing for Atomic Monster, with Alayna Glasthal overseeing the production for the company. Scott O'Brien and Pavan Kalidindi are overseeing the project for Lionsgate.
The new Blair Witch movie doesn’t currently have a release date but stay tuned.
