Blumhouse Founder Jason Blum's Endless Pursuit of Horror's Most Iconic Villains

Jason Blum, the head of Blumhouse, has spent 15 years bringing terror to audiences. He has seen big wins like M3GAN and some missteps such as M3GAN 2.0. His studio has become a major player in horror films, always looking for the next big scare. Blumhouse has built its own hit franchises like Paranormal Activity, Insidious, The Purge, and The Black Phone. Yet, Blum still has his eyes on horror's biggest names. He wants to bring them under the Blumhouse banner.

Recently, Blum spoke about his plans and hopes for the future. He also touched on some recent disappointments. It seems one famous slasher IP, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, will not get the Blumhouse treatment. This news comes after the company lost a bidding war.

The One That Got Away: Blumhouse Misses Out on the Chainsaw Family

Blumhouse was definitely in the running to get the rights for The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. But the deal did not close. Blum told Variety, "We were in the mix. The deal isn't closed, but we probably won't get it." The trade journal pointed out that A24 looks like the frontrunner. A24 has a producing team that includes Glen Powell. There are no clear ideas on what a Blumhouse Texas Chain Saw movie would have been. But Blum has a known strategy for these kinds of projects.

Blumhouse's Winning Strategy for Reviving Beloved but Doubted Brands

Blum has a clear way he likes to work with known properties. He wants to take IPs that people feel skeptical about. He then tries to flip expectations on their head. This method worked well with the 2018 Halloween movie. That film definitely changed how people viewed the series at the time. Blum's goal is to surprise fans. He wants to show them something new even with old stories. This drive keeps him chasing projects, even when the rights are tricky.

From Haddonfield's Streets to the Jigsaw Killer's Traps: Blumhouse's Franchise Journey

Blumhouse has a history of working with established horror series. The studio saw success, but also faced challenges. Their recent work with the Halloween series had a strong start. The Saw franchise now belongs to Blumhouse. This move shows Blum's constant search for new scary stories.

Reflecting on Michael Myers and the End of Blumhouse's Halloween Trilogy

The excitement for David Gordon Green's Halloween reboot trilogy did not last. The initial hype faded with each new movie. Now, Blumhouse is no longer in charge of Michael Myers. Blum explained, "We don't own the rights anymore. I had a three-picture deal." The trilogy included 2018's Halloween, Halloween Kills, and Halloween Ends. While some films like Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends received criticism, Blum is open to more work with the franchise. He stated, "I would do another Halloween movie." This shows his enduring fondness for the character and story.

A Fresh Start for Jigsaw: Blumhouse Brings Back Original Saw Visionaries

Blumhouse has taken on the Saw franchise. There are not many specific details yet on the next steps for this long-running series. The most recent entry, Saw X, came out in 2023. Blum respects the history of the series. He said, "It's really hard to make 10 movies in a franchise—I don't take that away from the original series' producers." He also feels grateful for the chance to keep the story going. Blum plans to reinvent the series. He will involve the original director, James Wan. "James Wan will be hugely involved. That's how we're going to reinvent it," Blum told Variety. This approach hopes to capture the spirit of the first films. It seeks to bring new thrills to fans. Blumhouse's track record with existing properties has been mixed, with films like The Exorcist: Believer also drawing some fan criticism. However, Blum's vision for Saw is clear: go back to the roots with the original creators.

Jason Blum's Ultimate Hunt: The White Whales of Horror Cinema

When it comes to his dream projects, Jason Blum has two clear goals. These are two legendary names in horror. He wants to acquire the rights for both Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street. He calls them his "two white whales." He continuously works to get these rights. Blum told Variety, "We're always haggling. I make a run at them every day. I will never give up the quest." He says he will chase the next movie even if they get made without him.

The Crystal Lake Conundrum: Navigating the Complexities of Friday the 13th

The rights for Friday the 13th have been messy for many years. But things are changing. Jason Voorhees is making a return. There is a "Jason Universe" initiative. A24 and Peacock are filming a prequel show called "Crystal Lake." This new series aims to tell early stories from the infamous camp. A new Friday the 13th movie is also in early stages of planning. Despite these developments, Blum keeps trying. He hopes to bring the masked slasher into the Blumhouse family. His persistence shows how much he wants to work with these classic figures.

Dreaming of Elm Street: Freddy Krueger Remains a Distant Wish for Blum

A Nightmare on Elm Street and its iconic villain, Freddy Krueger, are also on Blum's wish list. Unlike Friday the 13th, there has been no movement on the Elm Street series for many years. The rights are tied up, making it hard for anyone to produce new stories. Still, Blum remains hopeful. He continues to pursue opportunities to work with Freddy Krueger. His desire to revive these characters speaks to his passion for horror's most famous monsters. He believes they can rise again with the right touch. He wants to apply his method of turning expectations on their head to these figures.

Blumhouse was founded in 2000 by Jason Blum and Amy Israel. The company has grown to be a major force in horror, earning billions at the box office. As Blumhouse keeps going, Blum's focus on bringing Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees into the fold is clear. He truly believes these figures still have stories to tell. He thinks Blumhouse can give them new life for a new generation of fans.

This ongoing pursuit highlights Blum's belief that even the most well-known horror characters can find new success. He thinks they can surprise audiences again. What do you think about Blum's quest? Could Blumhouse be the place for Freddy and Jason to thrive once more?