EXCL: Blair Witch 3 Now Sequel Rather Than Prequel?
Source:Robert Galluzzo
October 2, 2009
Since the original
Blair Witch movie came out, filmmakers Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez have always flirted with the idea of making
Blair Witch 3 a prequel to the mythology they created. While an 18th Century period piece focusing on the witch hunt would make for an interesting follow-up, with the recently renewed interest in
The Blair Witch Project stemming from the 10 year anniversary, the filmmakers are now thinking of a direct sequel rather than a prequel.
"We would still love to make that prequel idea," Sánchez told Shock.
"We actually talked to Lionsgate about it four or five years ago. But they were very hesitant to do a prequel, because it’s a period piece and they haven’t had much luck with horror period pieces, and also the period would’ve made it a bit too expensive."
"However, right now, Dan (Myrick) and I are actually working on an idea for a Blair Witch sequel," says Sánchez.
"It’s the first time that Dan and I have really gelled on an idea for a follow-up. We have a bunch of ideas for the prequel that date back to the beginning of the legend, but this is the first time we’ve gotten together and really loved what we’re coming up with."
There's still a lot to be set up though before they can jump behind the cameras again.
"The plan would be to go to Lionsgate within the next couple of months and see if they’re interested," he explains.
"It’s completely up to them. They own the franchise. But we’re getting a lot of incredibly supportive feedback from lots of people saying "Hey, if (Lionsgate) don’t want to finance it, call me and I’ll write the check.""
"There’s plenty of different options here," he continues.
"Hopefully Lionsgate will get excited and we can move forward on it. We’ll probably have some kind of news by the end of the year – either that there’s nothing happening, or that we’re moving forward, or that we’re still talking to all the parties that are involved."
There was recently a reunion screening of the original
Blair Witch Project here in LA at the Egyptian Theater last month. We asked Sánchez what it was like to re-experience the film on the big screen with an audience again.
"I didn’t get to go," he confesses.
"My wife was pregnant and my son literally came two days before that screening. So I was here on the East coast. It would’ve been cool to see the movie with an audience again, but there’s actually a bunch of screenings in October of Blair Witch. In November, it’s showing in Chicago and I think I’m going to go up for that."
Besides
Seventh Moon, which hits DVD shelves on October 6th, Sánchez has been keeping busy with several other projects as well.
"I did a webseries that I was executive producer on called ParaAbnormal," he mentions.
"It’s over at ParaAbnormal.tv. It’s a comedy, kind of a Ghosthunters parody and we’re getting a lot of positive feedback from it. That was just a lot of fun to make."
As far as what's next for the filmmaker?
"I have a script that I’m writing called Possession that is a low budget film," he tells us.
"I want to take the first person perspective – not that we necessarily started it, but that we brought to the forefront with Blair Witch and has been used in everything from Cloverfield to Paranormal Activity - I want to take that technique and introduce a new twist to it that I think people would really love."
"I’d like to take that genre, hopefully at least in my eyes, to the next level with this film," he says.
"Whether it’ll works or not? I have no idea, but I think it’ll make for a really creepy film and I think people will dig it."
Sánchez's latest movie
Seventh Moon will be released on DVD October 6th via Ghost House Underground. Look for our full interview early next week!
Comments
Posted by: SapGoblin on October 2, 2009 at 13:46:00
IF it was just a direct sequel to the 1st (ignoring the 2nd) I'd be interested. Pt. II wasn't terrible it just didn't really feel connected to pt. I!
Posted by: DarrenSuds on October 2, 2009 at 14:35:18
The first Blair Witch was one of the scariest films I've seen in my life, and pathetically enough, I've probably seen just about all. I always felt what you can't see, but is there is much scarier than CGI spirits. Hopefully this will recapture that aura.
Posted by: Nico on October 2, 2009 at 19:09:34
A third one makes sense if only cause I'm sure after all this time there could be a new demographic of people who would want to see it, but the directors initial success was a fluke. They punked out twice and didn't show what the Blair Witch was.
Posted by: joe asylo on October 3, 2009 at 02:12:20
man i think we ve forgot it.
Posted by: rant! on October 3, 2009 at 20:38:28
sorry, i NEVER saw anything scary about any of the "Blair Witch" films...not one thing.
shaky hand-held camcorders?...not scary.
lots of screaming & yelling from a distance in the dark?...not scary.
..& standing in a friggin' corner of a room DEFINATELY isn't scary!!!
..the only thing i've ever given this film was it's online campaign for the first film...damn near the stuff of genius - which is why i was livid after seeing the film because to have such a good campaign for a film that - to me - was so damn lame is a travesty...or a triumph - depending on how you see it.
no more "Blair Witch" films, please - they all suck.
Posted by: Matt on October 3, 2009 at 23:55:29
Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity wins!!!!!!! so take that you fulgy haters!
lmaooooooo!
Posted by: Hippie on October 4, 2009 at 16:01:00
I don't know what to think about this if it ever does come to fruition. I thought BW I was good, but not really a "re-watch" type flick. I love Book of Shadows, and I agree with SapGoblin that it doesn't really feel connected to #1. But I do find it to be a good mind ****, and it has replay value. (anyone ever find all the esrever stuff) So I don't know...
Posted by: Horror Live on October 4, 2009 at 17:10:27
Blair Witch Project is the bigger **** I have seen.
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