David Bridges
A many months ago, Lionsgate unveiled it had an added Blair Witch film in the performs. The sequence, which begun with 1999’s The Blair Witch Job, has been off and on about the decades, and each equally of its sequels have been about how persons have been shaped by that to begin with film. Now, ahead of Project’s 25th theatrical anniversary in July, the cast powering that film have produced the selection they’d like to promptly profit from that monumental film, and give a smaller get pleasure from to lengthy term filmmakers.
On Saturday, actors Heather Donahue, Michael Williams, and Joshua Leonard created a joint assertion to Lionsgate asking for retroactive and lengthy run residual payments for their roles in the exceptional film. People today residuals are claimed to be equal to the sum they would’ve gotten seasoned they been adequately represented by SAG-AFTRA (or by a legal employees) once more in the late ‘90s. The trio also constructed an even bigger inquire: getting to supply “meaningful consultation” on foreseeable future Blair Witch initiatives, be they prequel, sequel, reboot, film activity, and so on—anything that could moderately function their likenesses, irrespective of no matter whether they are basically in the detail or just finding employed to encourage it.
“Our film has now been rebooted twice, equally moments had been a disappointment from a admirer/box spot of function/considerable standpoint,” they wrote. “Neither of these motion pictures had been getting manufactured with significant artistic enter from the original crew. As the insiders who created the Blair Witch and have been listening to what admirers appreciate & want for 25 many years, we’re your a single very best, however as a outcome-drastically unutilized resolution-weapon!”
Lastly, they recognized as on Lionsgate to spend out a yearly $60,ooo grant (the spending price range of the Blair Witch Job) for “an not recognized/aspiring genre filmmaker” producing their initially function film. And as it is a grant, Lionsgate would not close up proudly owning any of the rights to claimed project.
To additional plead their predicament, Donohue, Leonard, and Williams posted a neighborhood assertion from directors Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, furthermore producers Gregg Hale, Robin Cowie, and Michael Monello, which we’ve posted in extensive underneath.
As we in close proximity to the 25th anniversary of The Blair Witch Challenge, our satisfaction in the storyworld we developed and the film we created is reaffirmed by the current announcement of a reboot by horror icons Jason Blum and James Wan.
Despite the fact that we, the initial filmmakers, respect Lionsgate’s excellent to monetize the intellectual residence as it sees match, we require to spotlight the considerable contributions of the original forged — Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, and Mike Williams. As the literal faces of what has grow to be a franchise, their likenesses, voices, and true names are inseparably tied to The Blair Witch Project. Their unique contributions not only outlined the film’s authenticity but carry on to resonate with audiences all more than the planet.
We rejoice our film’s legacy, and similarly, we think the actors deserve to be celebrated for their enduring affiliation with the franchise.
Sincerely, Eduardo Sanchez, Dan Myrick, Gregg Hale, Robin Cowie, and Michael Monello
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Daniel Mercer
