As a die-hard fan of The Blair Witch Project, I can’t help but feel a mix of admiration and sadness when reflecting on the journey of its creators, Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez. On one hand, their groundbreaking work revolutionized the horror genre and independent filmmaking, earning them an unparalleled level of success. However, it’s heartbreaking to see that they have been largely excluded from the franchise they birthed.
25 years ago, “The Blair Witch Project” revolutionized the horror genre and paved the way for independent cinema by establishing a new benchmark. The movie, made on a minimal budget of $750,000, went on to earn an impressive $250 million globally, sparking a media franchise that included sequels, comics, novels, and video games. However, controversies have arisen regarding the fair compensation for the actors involved in the original film, despite its success, and the creators being excluded from future sequel plans. Unfortunately, this has been the ongoing situation for Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez, the movie’s creators, who were not consulted for the upcoming sequel produced by Lionsgate and Blumhouse Productions.
In an interview with Film Stories to publicize the upcoming Blu-ray boxset of The Blair Witch Project, Dan Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez were asked about their feelings towards the franchise they initiated. Myrick confessed that it’s a mix of joy and sadness because… It’s always a bittersweet experience. This led to talks about the upcoming Blair Witch sequel from Lionsgate and Blumhouse, a project they weren’t approached for direction or input on. In simpler terms, Myrick stated, “Hollywood studios aren’t exactly your friends.
As Dan mentioned, the feeling is a mix of joy and sadness. We’ve cherished the IP for over 25 years, and it holds a special place in our hearts. However, we don’t anticipate having a role in writing or directing these films. We’re aware that Hollywood often seeks fresh talent and new perspectives. There are countless talented filmmakers who could craft an exceptional Blair Witch movie. If given the opportunity to contribute again, even if only as consultants, it would be fulfilling. Regardless of whether our input is heeded, simply being able to share our insights would be rewarding.
Myrick added, as if echoing Dan’s thoughts, ‘We do have a loyal fanbase from the initial film, and it could generate positive publicity if they invite us back. Time will tell.’
The Blair Witch Project Creators Have Been Mainly Excluded Since the First Film
After being initially launched by Artisan Entertainment, The Blair Witch Project eventually passed ownership rights to Lionsgate following their takeover of Artisan in 2003. However, the original filmmakers had little input on the intellectual property after the release of the disappointing sequel, Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2, in 2000. Neither Daniel Myrick nor Eduardo Sánchez were consulted regarding this sequel, which was met with negative criticisms and failed to match the financial success of its original counterpart.
When “The Blair Witch” hit the screens in 2016, it was Lionsgate who owned the rights to the series, and the original duo had minimal involvement with the movie. The film was instead helmed by director Adam Wingard from a script penned by Simon Barrett.
In my humble opinion, the tale behind “The Blair Witch Project” isn’t just about the chilling legend it portrays. The actors who embodied the missing filmmakers – Heather Donahue, Michael Williams, and Joshua Leonard – have openly expressed their discontent over minimal compensation they received for their work in the original movie, as well as for allowing their likenesses and names to be used in subsequent sequels. Back in 1999, these actors weren’t part of a union, hence they missed out on residual payments when the film skyrocketed into a global phenomenon.
In 2004, they finally received $300,000 as payment, yet this was only possible after they took legal action against Lionsgate for employing their names across various Blair Witch spin-offs without proper remuneration. This dispute reached a climax when the trio of actors wrote an open letter to Lionsgate in April, asserting that they were owed residual payments due to the vast profits generated by the franchise since its initiation in 1999.
As a film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that Myrick, Sanchez, and other producers from the initial movie have voiced their support for the three main stars through an open letter. Although they didn’t explicitly discuss the current standing of these letters, they hinted at constructive discussions between the actors and Lionsgate since the matter became public. In a recent conversation with Mike [Williams], Sanchez shared that negotiations are underway between the actors and both Blumhouse and Lionsgate, and there’s been some advancement. Despite not knowing the exact outcome, it’s heartening to know they’re talking, which is a fantastic development!
As a die-hard fan of the Blair Witch franchise, I can empathize with the position of Eduardo Sánchez and Daniel Myrick, the original creators of the iconic found footage horror film. Despite Lionsgate having the rights and continuing their own narrative for the Blair Witch Project, these talented filmmakers have their own visions about where else this Intellectual Property (IP) could go.
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2024-11-04 06:03