Another reboot of a cult classic film is on the way and this time it’s The Blair Witch Project getting a modern makeover but not everyone is pleased.
Star of the original and groundbreaking horror, Joshua Leonard, has slammed Lionsgate over ’25 years of disrespect’ in a damning post.
The Blair Witch Project was first released 1999 to critical acclaim at Sundance festival and is often credited with birthing a new genre of found footage horror.
Despite posing as a true story, it is a fictional story of three student filmmakers — Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, and Joshua — who go missing in 1994 while filming a documentary about a local myth known as the Blair Witch.
‘So, this is MY face on a press release for a film being made by two major studios – both I’ve worked for, both I respect,’ vented Joshua on Instagram after seeing the Variety announcement.
‘The WEIRD PART is that I didn’t know anything about it until a friend sent me a “congrats” screenshot yesterday.’
His ‘congrats’ came after the news dropped earlier this week that Blumhouse and Lionsgate are teaming up on a remake of the iconic movie, 25 years after its initial release.
The Madhouse actor revealed he was frustrated as he had been attempting to get Lionsgate to ‘engage’ with him for over a month for a charity screening.
‘I’ve been thinking a lot about this time, after seeing my BWP collaborators recently and sharing memories… sweet AND f***ed-up ones,’ he wrote.
‘There were many factors that made BWP a success: timing, marketing, etc. But there was also the FACT that us weirdos got together, with virtually no resources, AND MADE A FILM THAT WORKED!’
Sequels and remakes have been made since, including a recent attempt in 2016, but all failed to capture the magic of the original spine-chilling horror.
In his post, Joshua clarified facts about the box office smash which grossed around$250 million worldwide and revealed how the actors themselves were only paid $300,000.
The 48-year-old star added: ‘A Hollywood insider told the press that we (actors) were paid 4M dollars as a buyout for our ownership points, while in reality, we made 300k… and NEVER saw another dime.’
He claimed that they were even told at the time that because of spiralling marketing expenses, they might actually end up owing money back.
‘Mike was back moving furniture within 12 months of the release, while still on magazine covers,’ Joshua added and reminded everyone that his real name was used in the film.
This meant that the group took the studio to court to ‘win [their] names back’ as the copyright included the characters’ — and therefore actors’— names.
He concluded: ‘I’m so proud of our little punk-rock movie, and I LOVE the fans who keep the flames burning.
‘But at this point, it’s 25 years of disrespect from the folks who’ve pocketed the lion’s share (pun intended) of the profits from OUR work, and that feels both icky and classless.’
Days after his criticism, Joshua posted a screenshot of someone reaching out from Lionsgate but replied saying that bridge had been ‘burned’.
He scathed: ‘Someone from @lionsgate finally responded!!! Woohoo!!! Well over a month after I reached out with a request to collaborate on a charity screening.
‘Evidently it takes several thousand re-shares and about 6-7 major press articles to get a callback from these guys. Whatever, I’m grateful it’s happening.’
In the original announcement of the upcoming remake, Variety posted a picture of Joshua in the film and wrote: ‘Horror maestro Jason Blum is reviving The Blair Witch Project for Lionsgate.
‘Plot details have not been revealed, but Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson referred to the film a “new vision for Blair Witch that will reintroduce this horror classic for a new generation.”’
Metro.co.uk has reached out to Lionsgate for comment.
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