Jason Blum and James Wan say the films ‘Obsession’ and ‘Backrooms’ are reviving the horror genre, echoing the 1970s' young filmmaker era, breaking records at the box office.
Breaking Records
During the Produced By Conference at Universal Studios, they discussed cinema's state, recovery post-COVID, and future plans for Blumhouse-Atomic Monster. Blum highlighted the relevance of theatrical releases, saying, “Obsession and Backrooms are a new kind of movie, made by non-traditional directors who honed their skills online.”
‘Obsession,’ directed by 26-year-old Curry Barker, released on May 15, was made for $750,000. It is making history as the first movie outside of Christmas since 1982 to increase in its second and third weekends.
Young Talent on the Rise
Meanwhile, ‘Backrooms,’ debuts from Kane Parsons, a 20-year-old YouTuber, is anticipated to have the biggest opening in A24 history, potentially grossing $90 million. Co-financed by Chernin Entertainment, this $10 million adaptation aims for success.
Blum and Wan also plan a ‘Blair Witch Project’ reboot with Dylan Clark, another online-origin creator. Blum stated, “Their hope is to make cool movies. Backrooms and Obsession are edgy and weird, reminiscent of the ’70s.”
Theatrical Success and Industry Impact
Blum noted, “Obsession went up 20% from last weekend, and 30% from the opening weekend. No movie has done that since E.T. It’s unbelievable.”
Wan, known for ‘Saw,’ ‘The Conjuring,’ and ‘Insidious,’ shared his passion for horror, inspired by John Carpenter and Wes Craven. He emphasized horror’s role in saving the industry, saying, “The horror genre keeps saving our industry.”
Future Plans for Blumhouse-Atomic Monster
The producers discussed their merger’s future, including television, gaming, and live-events, aiming to adapt to audience needs. Blum revealed their goal: “The Disney of horror is the aspiration in five years.”
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/jason-blum-james-wan-obsession-backrooms-success-horror-1236609599/
