It is not (anymore) a country for remakes, reboots, revivals or any other form that brings back to the big or small screen famous titles that are still fresh in the memory of a certain part of the public. We are seeing it more and more often: the controversy over the upcoming remake of The Crow has reached heights rarely reached until now, but the controversy has also broken out over The Blair Witch Project.
Just a few days ago, during CinemaCon, Lionsgate And Blumhouse have announced that they are working together on a new film in the horror franchise that began in 1999 with the phenomenal low budget horror that rocked the global box office. Two sequels have already come from that original idea, while the one announced now seems to be more of a remake, given that it has been said that it will be «a new vision for Blair Witch that will introduce the horror classic to a new generation».
However, one of those directly involved, the actor, did not like the news at all Joshua Leonard, one of the three stars of the 1999 original. Through a post that appeared on Instagram, he immediately attacked the new film, going so far as to define the entire operation as disgusting. «I want to say this publicly and I would like it to be amplified – he wrote -. This is my face used for a news story for a movie made by two major studios that I worked for and respect. The strange part is that I didn’t know anything about it until a friend wrote to congratulate me».
Joshua Leonard, together with Heather Donahue And Michael C. Williamsplayed one of three filmmakers who delve into the Burkittsville Woods to produce a documentary on the mythical Blair Witch. The frustration that filters through the actor’s words is evident: «I tried for a month to contact them about a charity screening of The Blair Witch Project and no one responded” he wrote.
He then goes on to summarize some disagreements and legal disagreements he had in the past with per The Blair Witch Projectsuch as the fact that the studio asked for copyright on the names of the characters which – however – are the same as the actors who played them given the mockumentary nature of the 1999 horror film. Leonard then continues: «There were many factors that made the film a success: timing, marketing, etc. But there’s also the fact that us weirdos came together, with virtually no resources, and we made a film that works. Can we say that the film itself is a big part of why we’re still talking about it 25 years later?».
So the ending of the post, very harsh: «I’m so proud of our little punk-rock movie, and I love the fans who keep the flame alive. But at this point, that’s 25 years of disrespect by those who have pocketed the lion’s share (pun intended) of the profits from our work, and this It seems both disgusting and classless to me». You can read the original post HERE.
What do you think about it? Also in this case is it a franchise that would be better not to touch again and leave it there in the historical cinematic memory? Tell us yours in the comments.
Read also: The Crow, the director attacks again: «It’s not just a film, Brandon Lee died to make it»
Source: Instagram
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