Blair Witch Project 25th Anniversary Blu-Ray from Second Sight Will Restore Original Movie

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Summary

  • Blair Witch Project fans will finally see the film as intended, excluding additional effects and with new content on the Blu-Ray release.
  • Producer Michael Monello announced a 25th-anniversary edition of the film revealing unseen content and the removal of previous transfer errors.
  • An OG cast backlash followed Lionsgate’s announcement of reboot, citing lack of respect and legal battles faced over their roles.

As a die-hard fan of The Blair Witch Project, I cannot contain my excitement for the upcoming 25th anniversary release of this groundbreaking film. For years, we fans have been watching the tainted versions of the movie, with additional effects and subpar transfers that did not do justice to the original vision of its creators. But now, thanks to producer Michael Monello’s dedication to preserving the film’s authenticity, we will finally get to experience The Blair Witch Project as it was meant to be seen.

For devoted fans of The Blair Witch Project, there’s an intriguing twist: they haven’t experienced the original film as its creators intended. Come October, this is set to alter with the unveiling of a fresh, revamped version on Blu-Ray, promising a new perspective for fans on the beloved movie.

In a tweet from Dawn of the Discs, Michael Monello, the producer of “Blair Witch,” announced exciting news for the film’s 25th anniversary. Unlike earlier releases by Lionsgate and Artisan, this version will offer fans an unprecedented experience with new content and the absence of added effects that were included in previous editions.

“After being disappointed by Artisan/Lions Gate’s unauthorized version of this film for the past 25 years, which didn’t meet the filmmakers’ original vision due to broken motion and excessive film grain over video, I’m excited that we now have an approved version coming out. I believe I have a valid reason to express my dissatisfaction with their previous release.”

If they choose to rush out a subpar version of what we’ve worked on, I can’t prevent that. But I won’t be silent about voicing my concerns over the poor quality of the transfer and the repetitive bonus materials.

As a longtime fan of this classic film, I can’t help but feel disappointed with how the original version has been presented to audiences over the years. Back in 1999, I was excitedly waiting for the release of the film on home video. But when I finally got my hands on it, I was dismayed to find that the quality didn’t do justice to the vision of its creators.

The Blair Witch Reboot Has Caused Bad Blood with the OG Cast

Fans were taken aback when it was revealed that a new version of “The Blair Witch Project” from 1999 is being released, following Lionsgate’s announcement of a franchise reboot with a fresh film. This news sparked disappointment among the original movie’s cast, who expressed their displeasure on social media regarding how they felt undervalued by the studio since the initial triumph of “The Blair Witch Project.”

Heather Donahue, well-known for her role in the franchise, expressed her sadness over the timing of the reboot announcement during the original film’s 25th anniversary celebration. She stated, “I was looking forward to honoring the milestone of the first movie, but this news took away its excitement.”

“Initially, I was excited for the 25th anniversary with plans to attend a few conventions. Hearing positive feedback from fans and reuniting with the team brought a sense of nostalgia and joy. However, suddenly, an unexpected announcement left me feeling disappointed and let down.”

The cast of the surprise hit movie from 1999 felt they were undercompensated for their roles despite its financial success, leading them to sue the studio. When the film, which had been made on a shoestring budget, became a global sensation, the actors received fruit baskets as a gesture from the studio. Unsatisfied with this gesture, they took legal action to claim a fair share of the profits. Their lawsuit resulted in a $300,000 settlement, but the bad feeling remained as the studio continues to make significant profits from the movie.

The influence of the “Blair Witch” curse seems to go beyond the movie itself, reaching a new generation through home media. In October, Second Sight’s version of “The Blair Witch Project” aims to put the troubled past of this franchise to rest.

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2024-07-25 16:31