The stars of The Blair Witch Project, Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, and Michael Williams, have come together to make a bold statement to Lionsgate regarding their involvement in the franchise. The trio is demanding retroactive and future residual payments, meaningful consultation on any upcoming projects related to The Blair Witch, and the creation of a grant for aspiring filmmakers. This move comes after Lionsgate partnered with Blumhouse for a reboot of the film.
One of the main demands made by Donahue, Leonard, and Williams is for residuals for their acting services in the original Blair Witch Project. They are asking for a sum equivalent to what would have been allotted through SAG-AFTRA, had they had proper union or legal representation at the time the film was made. This demand reflects the importance of fair compensation for actors, especially in successful projects that continue to generate revenue over the years.
In addition to financial compensation, the trio is requesting meaningful consultation on any future Blair Witch-related projects. They want to be involved in decisions regarding reboots, sequels, prequels, toys, games, rides, escape rooms, and any other endeavors where their names and likenesses may be used for promotional purposes. This request emphasizes the desire for creative input and respect for the original creators of the franchise.
Another significant demand put forth by the stars of The Blair Witch Project is the creation of “The Blair Witch Grant.” This grant would award an aspiring genre filmmaker with a prize of 60k, equivalent to the budget of the original film. The purpose of this grant is to support new voices in the genre film industry and provide opportunities for emerging talent. Importantly, the grant is defined as a grant, not a development fund, ensuring that Lionsgate would not own any rights to the project.
The statement from Donahue, Leonard, and Williams was also backed by the original filmmakers of The Blair Witch Project, including Eduardo Sánchez, Dan Myrick, Gregg Hole, Robin Cowie, and Michael Monello. These directors and producers highlighted the significant contributions of the original cast to the franchise. They emphasized that the faces of the actors are inseparably tied to the authenticity of the film and continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Overall, the demands made by the stars of The Blair Witch Project shed light on the importance of recognizing and compensating the creative talent behind successful projects. The call for retroactive payments, consultation on future projects, and the creation of a grant for aspiring filmmakers reflect a desire for fairness, respect, and support within the entertainment industry. It remains to be seen how Lionsgate will respond to these demands and whether they will prioritize the interests of the original creators and cast members of The Blair Witch Project.