“25 Years of Disrespect”: This is one of the most profitable films in history, but the actors received almost nothing!

In 1999, audiences discovered the horror film The Blair Witch Project. 25 years later, Lionsgate and Jason Blum are presenting a reboot of the iconic feature film to “introduce this horror classic to a new generation.”

With a budget of $60,000 and a worldwide gross of $248.7 million, Blair the witch The fashion for movies began Footage found and had two sequels: Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows, which took place after the disappearance of 3 students played by Heather Donahue, Michael Williams and Joshua Leonard in the first film, and Blair Witch starring Adam Wingard. in 2016.

The work of 1999 this time will be A overload. Information that did not cause the original film’s actors to react.

The actors of the first film are demanding compensation

On April 11, St. Joshua Leonard On his Instagram, he condemned the use of his image and that of his compatriots for promotion overload What they did not know before the press.

“I’m going to make this public and I’d appreciate it if anyone would listen! So here’s my face at a press release for a film made by two major studios – both of which I’ve worked for and respected. The weird thing is, I didn’t know anything about it until a friend sent me a congratulatory screenshot yesterday.

My frustration is even greater because I’ve been trying for over a month to get a commitment from Lionsgate for a benefit screening of The Blair Witch Project that I’m doing for @opositivefest to raise money for the artists. I have no health care and no one wants to answer me.

Yes, I’ve been thinking a lot about this period since I recently saw my colleagues again and shared memories… sweet and messy.

In 1999, distributor BWP claimed to have released the highest-grossing independent film of all time (bought for $1 million, grossed over $250 million), while internally we were told it was losing money on marketing costs… it owes money.

Using the actors’ real names

Since we used our real names in the first film, the studio demanded a royalty from us. We had to sue them in federal court to get our names back.

One source told the press that we (the cast) were given $4 million to redeem our property points, when in reality we made $300,000… and we didn’t make a cent.

There were many factors that contributed to the success of The Blair Witch Project: the schedule, the marketing… but there was also the fact that we came together, with virtually no resources, and made a film that worked! Can we say that the movie itself is a big part of why we’re still talking about it 25 years later?

This is 25 years of disrespect

I’m very proud of our little punk rock movie and I love the fans who keep the fire alive. But at this point, it’s 25 years of disrespect from people who pocketed the lion’s share of the profits from our business, and it’s sick and classless.”

If the film was profitable, it did not bring much for its main actors, whose names are mentioned in the credits and the image is used without any financial compensation.

Joshua Leonard goes even further. Last Friday, the latter posted an open letter on Facebook to Lionsgate, the studio that now owns the rights to Blair Witch.

Creation of the “Blair Wizard” grant

The trio of actors are demanding a say in future Blair Witch Project films that use their names (the 1999 film used their real names) or likenesses, retroactive and future residual payments, and Lionsgate’s creation of The Blair Witch. Grant”: A grant of €60,000 (budget of the original film) paid annually to a young filmmaker to help them make their first feature film.

Joshua explains: “Our film has been rebooted twice and both times disappointed from a fan, box office and critical perspective. No other film has had as much creative input from the original team as the insiders who created the Blair Witch films and heard what fans love and want. For 25 years, we are Your most important but unused secret weapon!

Will Lionsgate and Blumhouse heed the call for a reboot from Heather Donahue, Michael Williams and Joshua Leonard? To be continued!