New York Comic Con played host to "Blumfest," a 90-minute panel featuring Jason Blum of Blumhouse and James Wan of Atomic Monster, who provided a comprehensive look at their joint production slate. The extensive presentation covered a range of upcoming films, from fresh indie game adaptations to anticipated sequels and original horror features.
The panel opened with the announcement of a new Blumhouse deal with YouTuber MatPat to produce films based on indie horror games. Their first collaboration will be "Amanda the Adventurer: The Movie."
The Exorcist: Martyrs Trailer and Insights
Director Mike Flanagan and star Chiwetel Ejiofor were present for the debut of the trailer for "The Exorcist: Martyrs." Flanagan expressed confidence in the film's scariness, stating his goal was to make it his most terrifying project yet. He noted significant influences from "The Exorcist III" in the new installment.
Heidi Wong's Original Short Film
Content creator Heidi Wong, known as the "Horror Queen," announced she will write and direct an original short film for Blumhouse, with plans to potentially develop it into a feature. Wong described the project as inspired by Eastern mythology and folklore.
First Look at Slasher Film "River"
The slasher film "River," which recently premiered at TIFF and secured a $10 million distribution deal with Universal, Blumhouse, and Atomic Monster, showed its trailer. The footage features Jessica Rothe, Jane Levy, and Max Mattern in a tense river-set sequence. Rothe described the film as "a wild fucking ride."
Franchise Updates: RoboCop, Blair Witch, and Saw
Brief updates were provided for several franchise continuations. "RoboCop," a Prime Video series starring Dan Stevens, and the next "Blair Witch Project" film, directed by Dylan Clark, were mentioned. Regarding "Saw 11," Blum emphasized the importance of bringing the franchise back under Wan and Leigh Whannell's guidance, promising a fresh approach. Wan revealed that Mike P. Nelson will direct, hinting at a secret element crucial to the "Saw" formula.
"Paranormal Activity 8" Returns to Roots
James Wan revealed he was the driving force behind a new "Paranormal Activity" film, aiming to capture the scare factor of the original. Director Ian Tuason confirmed the production is "taking you back to a familiar space," with set footage intercut with the original film showing the return to Katie and Micah's bedroom.
"Molepeople" Announced Starring Lakeith Stanfield
Director Rob Savage unveiled his next project, "Molepeople," described as a subterranean horror film in the vein of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and "The Hills Have Eyes." Lakeith Stanfield is set to star, drawn to the film for its engaging, action-packed nature with underlying commentary.
"Anything But Ghosts" Comedy-Horror
Curry Barker and Cooper Tomlinson discussed their new comedy-horror film, "Anything But Ghosts," slated for release on May 7, 2027. The film follows "ghost hunter con artists" who encounter a genuine haunting. Blum praised Barker's performance in the movie.
"Something Is Killing the Children" Secures Director
Blumhouse's adaptation of the comic book "Something Is Killing the Children" has tapped Craig Zobel ("The Hunt") as its director. Co-creator James Tynion IV expressed excitement for the film's potential to reach a wider audience, emphasizing the importance of casting the lead character, Erica Slaughter, to capture her complex nature. The iconic Octo the octopus toy is confirmed to be featured.