A few weeks ago , Lionsgate divulge it hadanother Blair Witchmovie in the works . The serial , which start with 1999’sThe Blair Witch Project , has been off and on over the decades , and both of its sequels have been about how the great unwashed have been shaped by that first motion picture . Now , ahead of Project ’s twenty-fifth theatrical day of remembrance in July , the roll behind that film have decided they ’d like to straightaway benefit from that monolithic motion picture , and give a small love to future filmmakers .
On Saturday , actorsHeather Donahue , Michael Williams , and Joshua Leonardreleased a joint assertion to Lionsgate asking for retro and next residuary payments for their theatrical role in the original pic . Those residuals are claim to be adequate to the amount they would ’ve gotten had they been properly represented by SAG - AFTRA ( or by a legal team ) back in the late ‘ XC . The trio also made an even bigger ask : getting to put up “ meaningful consultation ” on future Blair Witch projects , be they prequel , sequel , reboot , television secret plan , and so on — anything that could fairly boast their likenesses , whether they ’re actually in the thing or just being used to encourage it .
“ Our film has now been reboot twice , both time were a letdown from a buff / box office / critical perspective , ” they wrote . “ Neither of these films were made with significant originative input from the original squad . As the insiders who created the Blair Witch and have been listening to what fans love & require for 25 years , we ’re your exclusive greatest , yet thus - far unutilized secret - artillery ! ”
Image: Lionsgate
Finally , they holler on Lionsgate to pay a yearly $ 60,ooo President Grant ( the budget of the Blair Witch Project ) for “ an unnamed / aspiring genre film maker ” make their first feature picture show . And as it ’s a grant , Lionsgate would n’t end up owning any of the right hand to tell project .
To further plead their example , Donohue , Leonard , and Williams posted a public statement from directors Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez , plus producer Gregg Hale , Robin Cowie , and Michael Monello , which we ’ve brand in full below .
As we near the 25th day of remembrance of The Blair Witch Project , our pride in the storyworld we create and the film we produce is reaffirmed by the recent announcement of a reboot by horror icons Jason Blum and James Wan .
While we , the original movie maker , respect Lionsgate ’s right hand to monetise the intellectual property as it sees primed , we must highlight the pregnant donation of the original cast — Heather Donahue , Joshua Leonard , and Mike Williams . As the literal faces of what has become a franchise , their likeness , voices , and real names are inseparably tied to The Blair Witch Project . Their unique contributions not only defined the film ’s authenticity but proceed to resonate with audiences around the world .
We lionise our film ’s legacy , and equally , we trust the actors merit to be celebrate for their endure tie with the franchise .
Sincerely , Eduardo Sanchez , Dan Myrick , Gregg Hale , Robin Cowie , and Michael Monello
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Blair WitchHorrorJason BlumLionsgateLionsgate photographic film
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