The stars of the iconic horror film The Blair Witch Project, Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, and Michael Williams, have recently come together to make a public plea to Lionsgate. This comes after the studio announced a partnership with Blumhouse for a reboot of the film. The trio is requesting retroactive and future residual payments, meaningful consultation on any future Blair Witch projects, and the creation of a grant for aspiring filmmakers.
Donahue, Leonard, and Williams are specifically asking for residuals for their acting services in the original Blair Witch Project. They stated that they want to receive the equivalent sum that would have been allotted through SAG-AFTRA if they had proper union or legal representation at the time of filming. This request highlights the importance of fair compensation for actors, especially in the case of successful projects that continue to generate revenue.
In addition to residual payments, the trio is seeking meaningful consultation on any future Blair Witch reboots, sequels, prequels, toys, games, rides, escape rooms, and more. They want to ensure that their names and likenesses are used appropriately in any promotional materials related to the franchise. This request demonstrates the stars’ desire to be actively involved in shaping the future direction of the Blair Witch Project.
Another key request from Donahue, Leonard, and Williams is the creation of “The Blair Witch Grant.” This grant would have a 60k prize, equivalent to the original film’s budget, and would be awarded to an unknown or aspiring genre filmmaker to assist in making their first feature film. It is emphasized that this is a grant, not a development fund, and Lionsgate would not own any underlying rights to the project. This proposal showcases the stars’ commitment to supporting and nurturing new talent in the film industry.
The post also includes a statement from the directors and producers of The Blair Witch Project, recognizing the significant contributions of the original cast. They acknowledge the unique impact that Donahue, Leonard, and Williams had on the authenticity of the film and its lasting resonance with audiences worldwide. This statement reinforces the importance of honoring and valuing the creative contributions of all those involved in a successful project.
The public proposal made by the stars of The Blair Witch Project highlights the importance of fair compensation, meaningful consultation, and supporting aspiring filmmakers in the film industry. It underscores the role that actors play in the success of a franchise and emphasizes the need for collaboration and respect between all stakeholders involved in a project. It remains to be seen how Lionsgate will respond to these requests and whether they will take the concerns of the original cast and filmmakers into consideration in their future Blair Witch projects.
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