Drop Director Christopher Landon Has Thoughts On Making Original Movies With Blumhouse Amidst A Crowd Of Remakes: ‘It Is Very Hard’

by

If you lament about Hollywood producing too many remakes and sequels, consider the films you are actually spending your money on by purchasing movie tickets for. It’s likely that some of the most lucrative movies in 2025, such as Superman, How To Train Your Dragon, and Jurassic World: Rebirth, will be among the top earners of the year due to audience demand. If you’re eager to support original movies, check out the work of Christopher Landon at Drop.

From the films such as “Happy Death Day”, “Freaky”, and “We Have A Ghost”, it seems that the writer, director, and producer has been involved in an unusually high number of movies recently, without a well-known franchise or intellectual property (IP) backing them. In my conversation with Landon about this career achievement, he shared his thoughts:

I’ve stumbled upon something truly significant – it’s quite challenging to create unique films in today’s Hollywood scene. It seems everyone’s fixated on remakes, intellectual properties, and other trends. However, I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have an extraordinary collaboration with Blumhouse and Universal. They’re not just supportive of original films; they actively champion them. In particular, Blumhouse stands out as daring innovators, willing to take risks that others shy away from. What makes our partnership even more advantageous is the relatively lower cost of our productions, allowing us to take on a bit more risk in pursuit of something fresh and original.

In his own words, Landon expresses his sense of gratitude for the enduring partnership he shares with Blumhouse and Universal. This partnership not only supports many of his projects but also churns out a variety of innovative movies and intellectual properties in recent times. When Blumhouse first began in the early 2000s, they brought us the Paranormal Activity series, followed by films like Insidious, Sinister, The Purge, Oculus, Get Out, and more recently, Us.

Furthermore, one significant attraction lies in their affordability for studios, as Landon noted.

I strongly hope that people will turn up to watch original films, as this is crucial for the creation of fresh franchise ideas. If we don’t have enough audience support, we might find ourselves stuck with only rehashed concepts.

In the newest release by the studio, titled “Drop“, we find a single mother embarking on a rare date, only to receive mysterious messages on her phone from an unknown sender, who threatens her family if she doesn’t comply with their demands. As it turns out, this gripping film, praised by critics as an enjoyable watch, found its way onto Landon’s desk, according to the director, in this specific case.

Originally, a script was presented to me, which was inspired by an actual event. While on holiday, the creators received mysterious airdrops during dinner, leaving them puzzled about the sender’s identity. Despite their best efforts, they never discovered who was behind it. However, this intriguing incident sparked an idea in their minds. They then collaborated with writers Chris and Jill to transform this concept into a gripping thriller.

At crowded gatherings, you might have encountered an instance where one phone sends a photo to another, often misused for sharing Shrek memes and similar content. In the case of the film “Drop“, there’s an engaging detective-like aspect as you watch the movie, feeling like you’re alongside Meghann Fahy’s character Violet on her date with Brandon Sklenar’s Henry. Landon also mentioned this: (This version maintains the original meaning and tone while using simpler sentences for easier understanding.)

Reading the initial script felt like holding a freshly printed copy. They had me in mind, and upon reading it, I was captivated. Instantly donning my writer’s cap, I collaborated with the other writers, rolled up our sleeves, and dove headfirst into the project. Gradually, we propelled the movie forward.

When Landon joined the team of Drop, he had just experienced a challenging and turbulent phase in his life. This tumultuous period prompted him to step down from his role as director for Scream 7, following the dismissal of Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega’s departure from the project. Landon disclosed that he chose to leave the significant horror franchise due to receiving death threats, which escalated to a point where law enforcement agencies like the FBI were involved. He described the situation as “extremely aggressive and truly frightening.

It’s nice to see that amidst the sea of upcoming horror movie remakes and sequels, Landon is keeping things interesting by introducing fresh concepts, such as the film “Drop“. Moreover, he’s also working on a new installment in his “Happy Death Day” franchise, which is currently in development. Catch “Drop” in theaters starting April 11.

Read More

2025-04-11 04:37