June 16th 2024.
Joshua Leonard, along with Heather Donahue and Michael C. Williams, was one of the three actors who starred in the groundbreaking film, The Blair Witch Project. With a staggering $100 million in box office earnings, one would assume that the actors would receive a generous percentage of the profits. However, according to reports, this was not the case for the stars of The Blair Witch Project.
The film, released in 1999, follows the story of three student filmmakers who venture into the woods in Maryland to make a documentary about the Blair Witch. Written and directed by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, the film's plot revolves around their characters' disappearance, with only their footage and equipment found in the woods.
Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, the 81-minute production was quickly acquired by Artisan Entertainment for $1.1 million and went on to gross $248 million worldwide. It was a huge success, leading to two sequels and a current reboot in the works. However, 25 years after its release, Leonard, Donahue, and Williams revealed in an interview with Variety that they have yet to see any financial rewards for their role in creating one of horror's most iconic films.
The trio shared that after filming the movie, they were instructed by Artisan to keep a low profile and act as though they had nothing to do with the production. This was part of the company's efforts to maintain the illusion that the film was based on a true story, and the actors had actually disappeared. Donahue even claimed that her publicist was barred from making any bookings for her after the film was purchased by the production company.
Leonard also stated that he was prevented from taking on a role in an independent film because he was supposed to be "dead" according to the narrative of The Blair Witch Project. Despite this, the actors decided to comply with Artisan's request, thinking it was for the greater good as they had put so much effort into the film. However, when the movie reached the $100 million mark in the US box office, the trio was disappointed to receive only a fruit basket as their "thank you."
The impact of being excluded from the success of the film has been felt deeply by Leonard, Donahue, and Williams. In a tearful interview with Variety, Williams shared how he and his wife were struggling financially and couldn't even afford groceries. He expressed his frustration at the lack of support from giant corporations towards young artists and how this needs to change.
As news of a reboot surfaced, the trio released an open letter to Lionsgate, the production company behind the upcoming project. They asked for "meaningful consultation" on future related projects, as they were disappointed with the two previous sequels, which they felt were made without their creative input.
The actors have also sought the help of SAG-AFTRA, a union which is currently in touch with the production company to negotiate a compensation settlement for the trio. However, the original directors and producers of The Blair Witch Project declined to comment on the matter due to their own financial agreements with the studio.
In a joint statement, they expressed their surprise that 25 years later, people are still talking about a film made by a group of "Hollywood outsiders." They also voiced their hope that Donahue, Leonard, and Williams find a satisfying conclusion to their conversations with Lionsgate.
Despite declining to comment, Lionsgate is also facing a separate compensation battle with Donahue after her scream was used without authorization in another film. The actress reportedly contacted the company, but they sought their own settlement without her involvement. This has left Donahue with yet another legal battle, this time with Focus Features, the studio behind the film.
While the trio continues to fight for the recognition and compensation they deserve, they hope that their story sheds light on the struggles faced by young artists in the industry. They also expressed their gratitude to the fans of The Blair Witch Project, who have kept the film's legacy alive for 25 years.
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