The three main actors from “The Blair Witch Project” have issued a statement asking Lionsgate to give them back payments and let them contribute ideas for the studio’s upcoming remake of the famous horror movie.
In the statement written by Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard and Michael Williams, the trio requests that Lionsgate pay them for their past work on the film and also consult with them on any future “Blair Witch” movies or creative projects. They also ask for an annual $60,000 grant to be given to a filmmaker for their first feature film.
“As the people who came up with the ‘Blair Witch’ and have been paying attention to what fans love & want for 25 years, we believe we are your most important, yet untapped resource!” the statement reads.
The complete statement, originally shared on Facebook, can be found below:
OUR ASKS OF LIONSGATE (From Heather, Michael & Josh, stars of The Blair Witch Project):
1. Payments for past and future work for Heather, Michael and Josh equivalent to the amount that would’ve been paid through SAG-AFTRA, if they had proper union or legal representation when the film was made.
2. Meaningful involvement in any future Blair Witch reboot, sequel, prequel, merchandise, game, attraction, etc… , that would feature Heather, Michael & Josh for promotional purposes.
Note: Our film has now been remade twice, both times were a disappointment from a fan/box office/critical perspective. Neither of these films had significant creative input from the original team. As the people who created the Blair Witch and have been paying attention to what fans love & want for 25 years, we believe we are your most important, yet untapped resource!”
3. “The Blair Witch Grant”: A 60k grant (the budget of our original movie), paid out yearly by Lionsgate, to a new/aspiring genre filmmaker to assist in making their first feature film. This is a GRANT, not a development fund, therefore Lionsgate will not own any of the rights to the project.
More to come…
