The stars of The Blair Witch Project, Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, and Michael Williams, have come together to make a public proposal to Lionsgate in light of the studio’s partnership with Blumhouse for a reboot of the popular horror franchise. Their proposal includes demands for retroactive and future residual payments, meaningful consultation on any future Blair Witch projects, and the creation of a grant for aspiring filmmakers.
The trio is requesting residuals for their acting services in the original Blair Witch Project, equivalent to what would have been allotted through SAG-AFTRA, had they had proper union or legal representation at the time of filming. This demand underscores the importance of fair compensation for the actors’ contributions to the success of the film.
Donahue, Leonard, and Williams also want to be consulted on any future Blair Witch reboots, sequels, prequels, toys, games, rides, or escape rooms that may feature their names or likenesses for promotional purposes. They emphasize the need for creative input from the original team to ensure the integrity of the franchise and the satisfaction of fans.
In addition to residuals and consultation, the trio is calling for the creation of “The Blair Witch Grant” with a $60,000 prize, matching the original film’s budget. This grant would be awarded to an unknown or aspiring genre filmmaker to assist in making their first feature film, with the stipulation that Lionsgate would not own any underlying rights to the project. This initiative aims to support emerging talent in the horror genre and uphold the legacy of The Blair Witch Project.
The post also included a statement from the directors and producers of The Blair Witch Project, Eduardo Sánchez, Dan Myrick, Gregg Hole, Robin Cowie, and Michael Monello. They expressed their respect for Lionsgate’s right to monetize the intellectual property but highlighted the significant contributions of the original cast – Donahue, Leonard, and Williams. The filmmakers acknowledged the actors’ roles in defining the authenticity of the film and connecting with audiences worldwide.
The public proposal from The Blair Witch Project stars serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and compensating the individuals whose talent and dedication contributed to the success of a beloved franchise. The demands for residuals, consultation, and the creation of a grant reflect a commitment to supporting both established and emerging talent in the horror genre. It remains to be seen how Lionsgate will respond to these requests and whether they will prioritize the voices of the original creators in future Blair Witch projects.
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