The stars of The Blair Witch Project, Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, and Michael Williams, have come together to share a public proposal to Lionsgate after the studio partnered with Blumhouse for a reboot of the franchise. The trio is requesting retroactive and future residual payments for their roles in the original Blair Witch Project. They are also asking for meaningful consultation on any future Blair Witch projects and are calling for the creation of a grant for aspiring filmmakers.
Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, and Michael Williams are demanding residuals for their acting services in the original Blair Witch Project. They are asking for payments equivalent to what would have been allotted through SAG-AFTRA if they had proper union or legal representation at the time the film was made. This request highlights the importance of fair compensation for actors, especially in projects that go on to become successful franchises.
In addition to retroactive payments, the trio is requesting meaningful consultation on any future Blair Witch reboot, sequel, prequel, toy, game, ride, escape room, etc. They want to be involved in projects where their names and likenesses are used for promotional purposes in the public sphere. This demand emphasizes the value of involving original creators and cast members in the development of franchises to ensure authenticity and fan satisfaction.
Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, and Michael Williams are advocating for the creation of “The Blair Witch Grant” with a $60k prize, equivalent to 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. The trio clarifies that this is a grant, not a development fund, ensuring that Lionsgate would not own any of the underlying rights to the project. This initiative showcases their commitment to supporting emerging talent in the industry.
The statement from the original filmmakers of The Blair Witch Project, including Eduardo Sánchez, Dan Myrick, Gregg Hole, Robin Cowie, and Michael Monello, highlights the significant contributions of the original cast. They emphasize the importance of Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, and Mike Williams as the literal faces of the franchise, whose unique contributions defined the authenticity of the film and continue to resonate with audiences worldwide. This endorsement underscores the value of recognizing and compensating the original creators and cast members for their role in shaping a successful franchise.
The public proposal from the stars of The Blair Witch Project and the support from the original filmmakers underscore the importance of fair compensation, meaningful consultation, and support for aspiring filmmakers in the entertainment industry. As the industry evolves, it is essential to recognize and value the contributions of all those involved in creating successful and enduring franchises.
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