Hey folks... Harry here. Personally... I think all of this is a BAD IDEA. I was one of the strongest supporters of THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. Hyped the living hell out of it, but frankly... I don't want to see a sequel. I don't need anymore shaky camera stuff. Hoarse voices squeeching at one another as their world falls apart. No. I had heard one idea for a prequel that I liked. The concept was to film the old original ghost story behind all of this so called 'Blair Witch' stuff. Set waaaay the hell back in time. Now for me... this means making a real honest to goodness movie in the traditional filmmaking 'Hitchcock' manner of things, as opposed to the 'you-are-there-to-the-extreme' manner they shot the first one. It would be atmospheric, it'd be scary as hell and it would.... IN NO WAY.... resemble the first film. I have ZERO interest in a sequel. And only minor interest in a prequel. Personally... I sort of feel like... "Hey... let's move forward." I really don't think that Blair Witch has significant legs... Of course... that's just my opinion...
Hey Harry -
"Long time listener, first-time caller" here with some interesting news on the "Blair Witch" front. It seems that Artisan entertainment is going to try to take a stab at preserving the integrity of the franchise by hiring someone to be gatekeeper of the mythology of the projected series. Theoretically, this person would have a veto-like consulting power that could keep the franchise from becoming a cheesy cliché of itself. My source, an industry insider close to the project, reports that the primary contender for this role is Ben Rock, the writer of Sci-Fi Network Blair Witch documentary, "Curse of the Blair Witch." He also served as the original film's production designer. Whoever they hire would pen a Blair Witch book aimed at defining the history of the legend. His primary duty would be to expand on what is currently known of the Blair Witch and maintain continuity in the storylines of any sequels. He would also be a special consultant on any spin-offs such as video games, other books, action figures (no kidding - it's under consideration), pot-holders, lunchboxes, condoms (heh-heh, just kidding on that one) etc...hopefully, making sure the franchise maintains its integrity, doesn't suck, and makes Artisan lots-o-money with the ability to churn out a prequel after next October's sequel. That's right, Artisan would like to try to get this thing churned out by next Halloween. Word has it that ideas proposed so far have been next to unreadable. Sanchez and Myrick are trying to distance themselves enough from a sequel where they can take credit if it is a success, and disown it if it is a flop. However, they are obviously committed to doing their part in maintaining Blair's integrity, as are Producers Robin Cowie, Gregg Hale, and co-producer Michael Monello. Artisan owns the franchise, so they are the ones who will ultimately take the rap if it fails. Which leads me to my next revelation....
As reported on page 8 of the Monday, November 22 Hollywood Reporter, Artisan hired four writers to bang out potential sequel scripts, of which Artisan would choose the best. On the same day, Indiewire.com regurgitated an erroneous report from ReporterTV.com. that Sanchez and Myrick were planning to write the sequel. My source tells me that Bill Block, President of Artisan Entertainment, confirmed the Hollywood Reporter story. My source also tells me that the scripts and pitches seen and heard so far have fallen far short of acceptable if the franchise wishes to remain intact. As it stands, Artisan would like to produce a prequel after next October's sequel, assuming they haven't already killed off the franchise.
There you have it - as a "Blair Witch" fan, I'm personally happy that the powers-that-be are trying to keep the myth alive...although the potential suck-factor appears to be high!
Call me -
Anonymous Source
