The Blair Witch Project: Unveiling the Untold Origin in an Unmade Prequel Script

Summary

The Blair Witch Project co-writer and co-director Eduardo Sánchez reveals details about an unmade prequel script on a recent podcast episode.

The prequel script would have centered around Elly Kedward, the believed original Blair Witch, and incorporated Native influences. It would have been one installment in a series of period piece films, setting the stage for a sequel to follow in six to ten years.

Eduardo Sánchez, the co-writer and co-director of The Blair Witch Project, has recently unveiled details about a prequel that was never made. The original film, released in 1999, gained immense popularity for its found footage style, causing many to believe it was a true story. It revolved around three student filmmakers who become lost in the woods and face supernatural torment while shooting a documentary about the local legend of the Blair Witch in Burkittsville, Maryland.

On a recent episode of the Cult FM podcast, Sánchez discussed the lasting impact of The Blair Witch Project and shared information about the unproduced prequel script that he and co-writer Daniel Myrick had written ten years ago. This film would have delved into the story of Elly Kedward, the woman believed to be the original Blair Witch, and it would have incorporated Native influences. The prequel would have been part of a series of period pieces, including the tale of Rustin Parr, a child murderer, and would have eventually led into a sequel set several years later. Below is Sánchez's complete statement:

Is There a Future for the Blair Witch Franchise?

In our mythology, the Blair Witch is an entity that predates its name. The presence of this being was known to Native Americans long before the arrival of Europeans in the area. Myrick and I penned a prequel to our movie over a decade ago. Lionsgate recognized its value and commissioned us to write the script. We put a lot of effort into it and Lionsgate appreciated the script, but they were hesitant to invest in it due to the cost. I understand their reasoning behind this decision. Our script incorporated Native American influences, featuring a character on horseback and even explaining the origins of the stick figures. Our original concept for the Blair Witch movies involved non-linear storytelling, where we would explore different periods in time. If we had the opportunity, we would have explored the story of Elly Kedward, the original Blair Witch, which would have included Native American characters. We also wanted to delve into the tale of Rustin Parr, creating period piece horror films before eventually leading into a sequel years later. Unfortunately, circumstances prevented us from bringing these ideas to fruition.

Sánchez and Myrick's unrealized Blair Witch franchise had the potential for success, despite budget concerns from Lionsgate. The duo, responsible for the franchise's creative direction, would have returned for the first time, and their concept had already been proven profitable by Netflix's popular Fear Street trilogy, which premiered in 2021. These three films, released within a week of each other, featured a framing narrative set in 1994, with each subsequent installment delving deeper into the haunted history of Shadyside, the cursed town.

The Blair Witch franchise's two actual sequels, Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 and Blair Witch, both received negative reviews despite moderate box office success. Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 made $47.7 million on a $15 million budget, but received a poor 14% rating from critics and 18% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Blair Witch, directed by Adam Wingard in 2016, made a similar amount on a smaller $5 million budget, but had slightly better reviews with 38% from critics and 31% from audiences.

There is reportedly another Blair Witch movie in development, helmed by director Oliver Park. However, there is a possibility that this movie may not materialize or fail to meet audience expectations. Should this happen, bringing back the original creators, Myrick and Sánchez, could be a revitalizing boost for the franchise.

Source: Cult FM