The Blair Witch Project reboot is slated for a 2027 release.
The Blair Witch Project Reboot
On Tuesday, Lionsgate, the studio behind the follow-up to the 1999 found-footage horror-mystery film, took to social media to confirm the reboot will hit the big screen on September 24.
Although plot details are being kept under tight wraps, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson promised “a new vision for Blair Witch that will reintroduce this horror classic for a new generation” when the upcoming movie was announced at CinemaCon in 2024.
The 1999 flick starred Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, and Michael C. Williams as fictionalized versions of themselves who disappear into a forest while making a documentary about the Blair Witch. The Blair Witch Project grossed almost $250 million at the worldwide box office against a $60,000 budget.
Participation of Past Cast
Leonard, 51, and Williams, 52, serve as executive producers of The Blair Witch Project reboot alongside the original film’s creators, Eduardo Sanchez, 57, Daniel Myrick, 62, and 60-year-old Gregg Hale.
But 51-year-old Donahue, who now goes by the name Rei Hance, will not be joining her fellow co-stars for the upcoming film due to “difficult long-term questions” about her rights and image.
Earlier this month, she penned on Facebook, “There seems to be some willful confusion about my involvement with the reboot. I want to clarify that I am not participating.”
“I was offered an agreement that, for me personally, raised difficult long-term questions about rights, future technological use of identity and voice, the ability to speak freely, and compensation.”
“Ultimately, it just wasn’t something I felt comfortable signing. I genuinely wish everyone involved well. But preserving my autonomy mattered more to me.”
Continuing a Legacy
It came after producer James Wan, 49, previously suggested that it was “very important” that “all the original people” from the horror classic were “involved” and gave their “blessing” in director Dylan Clark’s new project.
Wan added to IndieWire, “We wanted to pay respect to the legacy of it all.”
Williams previously said he was thrilled to be part of The Blair Witch Project reboot, with its script by Chris Thomas Devlin.
He wrote on X, “Nothin’ but gratitude. Oh, yeah, it’s not a ‘remake’. You just wait. The Witch is back…”
Michael Clear, Judson Scott, 73, and Steven Schneider, 52, also serve as executive producers. Blumhouse Productions founder and CEO Jason Blum, 57, will join Wan, Roy Lee, Adam Hendricks, and Greg Gilreath as producer.
Past Renditions
The original movie was promoted through faux police reports and interviews with questions about “missing” students, which was intended to spark debate about whether or not the film was fiction or an actual documentary.
Following its release, it spawned the 2000s Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2, and a 2016 remake.