By: Renae Richardson
The revival trend shows no signs of slowing as horror heavyweights James Wan (Atomic Monster) and Jason Blum (Blumhouse) announce their collaboration on a new installment in the “Paranormal Activity” franchise, promising to inject fresh scares into the established series.
Released in 2007, the original Paranormal Activity helped redefine the found-footage horror subgenre. The low-budget thriller chronicled a young couple’s terrifying ordeal with supernatural forces in their new home, revealing an ancient, inescapable connection that would haunt audiences and spawn multiple sequels.
What Started it All
Image Source: Paramount Activity
Inspired by “The Blair Witch Project,” director Oren Peli created the original film that launched the franchise, developing his concept from scratch with remarkable determination. The film’s success exceeded all expectations. According to Yahoo, Peli “set aside $15,000 of his own money” and, despite never having directed before, “hired a small cast and an even smaller crew for his DIY production,” which remained secret even from those closest to him. “Three years after its unassuming beginnings, Paranormal Activity premiered in theaters nationwide on Sept. 25, 2009, grossing nearly $200 million at the domestic box office and launching one of the current century’s most successful movie franchises.” Empire confirms that six sequels followed, with the most recent released in 2021.
James Wan From The Bottom to the Top
James Wan has established himself as a dominant figure in horror cinema. His breakthrough came with “Saw,” which Vocal Media reports “totaled more than $103M worldwide, over 80x more than the budget of the film and led the studio to move forward with subsequent projects until it spawned a franchise.” Wan further cemented his reputation with films like Insidious and “The Conjuring.” His continued prominence in the genre will now extend to his involvement with the “Paranormal Activity” franchise.
Wan And Blum Join Forces
Image Source: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images/The Hollywood Reporter
Both Wan and Blum have expressed enthusiasm about joining forces as co-producers on the project. Blum, who has a long-standing history with the franchise, has openly welcomed Wan’s creative perspective. Wan has spoken to his admiration for the series, noting,
“I’ve been a huge admirer of ‘Paranormal Activity’ since the brilliant first movie, with its creeping slow burn and subtle ability to make the unseen terrifying. I’m looking forward to expanding on its legacy and helping shape the next evolution of this scary found-footage franchise.”
No Other Activity on Paranormal Activity
At present, few additional details have been disclosed. The rest of the creative team has yet to be announced. However, Blum has hinted at a slightly expanded production scope while emphasizing that the franchise’s core sensibility will remain intact. As he told Empire,
“Thankfully, we’re able to spend a little more than the $15,000 we had on the first movie, but one thing will remain the same—do not see it alone.”
Horror Fans Buckle Up
For horror fans, this marks another title worth anticipating. In a genre driven by atmosphere and innovation, it is encouraging to know that something new is on the horizon. With Wan and Blum collaborating and the project serving as the next chapter in a beloved franchise, anticipation is already building for what promises to be a suitably terrifying return.
Original article
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