A new reboot of the 1999 horror hit The Blair Witch Project will now feature two of the original stars and the directing team as executive producers, following their public outcry over being excluded from the project.
Background of the Original Film
The original The Blair Witch Project was a groundbreaking indie horror film made for just $35,000. It went on to gross $248 million worldwide, making it one of the most profitable films of all time. Its found-footage style and grassroots marketing campaign revolutionized the genre.
Reboot Announcement and Backlash
In 2024, Lionsgate and Blumhouse—the studio behind hits like The Purge, Get Out, and Five Nights at Freddy’s—announced a new take on the classic. However, the original creators were not initially involved, sparking frustration. Joshua Leonard, one of the three lead actors, posted on Instagram about "25 years of disrespect from the folks who’ve pocketed the lion’s share of the profits from OUR work." He called the exclusion "icky and classless."
Ben Rock, production designer on the original, also voiced disappointment, noting that the 2000 and 2016 sequels failed to replicate the original's success. He suggested involving the original creators would be wise for the new attempt.
Resolution: Original Team Joins as Executive Producers
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Leonard and co-star Michael C. Williams will serve as executive producers alongside Eduardo Sánchez and Daniel Myrick, the original directors, and producer Gregg Hale. Heather Donahue, the third lead, previously wrote for The Guardian about her experience with the 2016 sequel, describing her initial reaction as drinking bourbon in a bathtub while crying. She noted that the filmmakers were considerate in not using her name in press materials to minimize disruption to her life.
New Film Details
The upcoming reboot promises to "reintroduce this horror classic for a new generation." It will be directed by Dylan Clark, known for horror shorts, who is also adapting one of his shorts with producers Jordan Peele and Sam Raimi.
