By Variety | Created at 2026-10-10 02:23:54 | Updated at 2026-10-11 05:52:10
1 day ago
Jason Blum and James Wan aren’t paying much attention to the bad reviews (but massive box office success!) for “Other Mommy.” Instead, the horror maestros spent Friday night looking ahead at what’s next, unveiling Blumhouse Atomic Monster’s upcoming slate of films during the 90-minute presentation at New York Comic Con.
In the next year, the horror house will launch a new installment of the “Exorcist” franchise starring Scarlett Johansson, “Violent Night 2” with Kristen Bell, and a revamped “Blair Witch Project.”
During the event, Blumhouse announced a new short-film deal with Heidi Wong, a MatPat-led adaptation of the indie video game “Amanda the Adventurer,” and Oscar nominee LaKeith Stanfield’s next movie, “Molepeople.”
If you couldn’t make it to the horror-filled presentation, read below for more of the major takeaways from the Blumhouse panel at NYCC.
Jason Blum Addresses the Doppelganger Elephant In The Room
Despite its major box office success, “Other Mommy” debuted this weekend to an onslaught of negative reviews. One of the things that was picked apart online was the title of the film itself, particularly why it wasn’t named “Other Mother” both for the sake of the rhyme and to further the parallels between “Coraline.”
“Well, funnily enough, my partner James Wan wanted to call it ‘Other Mother,’ and he got outvoted,” Blum revealed during the panel. “This is probably why we should always listen to James Wan.”
Kristen Bell Joins ‘Violent Night 2’ As Mrs. Clause
Kristen Bell is getting into the Christmas spirit, and no, it isn’t with “Frozen.”
The actress is joining David Harbour in “Violent Night 2,” stepping into the jolly-but-deadly shoes of Mrs. Claus.
“It was thrilling to get this call from David. I think I was so confused when he called, because I didn’t even know they were making a second one,” Bell said during the panel. “David called and said, ‘I need you to come to Winnipeg.’ And I was like, ‘What? No.’”
As a big fan of the first film, Bell shared that once she learned it was for “Violent Night 2,” she was in. She revealed David told her she would play Mrs. Claus, who is a “‘badass and she’s every bit as capable as Santa is.’ And I said, ‘Say more.’ And we made it work.”
‘Paranormal Activity,’ ‘Blair Witch’ and ‘Saw 11’ Teased
The fan-favorite film “Paranormal Activity” is getting a modern makeover and is set to release in theaters May 21, coming alongside the news of the Broadway play’s extension into February.
“’Paranormal Activity’ is such an emotional movie for me, because it’s really how Blumhouse started,” Blum shared. “It really gave birth to everything that we’ve done.”
Wan and Blum announced the news with a teaser video of director Ian Tuason reenacting the infamous at-home footage of becoming possessed while sleeping overnight before turning to the camera to share the film is currently in production.
For the new take on “The Blair Witch Project,” Wan said he’s “super excited” about director Dylan Clark. “Dylan is another one of these great filmmakers, YouTubers who’ve made a bunch of really great shorts online … It’s these filmmakers who actually have a lot of reverence for these films. They grew up with it, and they have a lot of admiration for it. And so we’re not just plucking anyone off the internet.”
Blum joined Wan on stage again to discuss the upcoming 11th “Saw” film, which will be directed by Mike P. Nelson. The film had been in development limbo for several years but is now back on track after the Blumhouse-Atomic Monster merger.
“I said, if you and Leigh Whannell are going to come back to do this, I want to make sure that you’re in the driver’s seat for how it’s going to go creatively,” Blum said. “It’s going to feel, I think, different than every other every other ‘Saw’ movie before, maybe except the first, which James obviously directed and wrote with Leigh. And on both of our parts, we want to thank you guys for keeping that franchise alive for all these years and we’re gonna bring it to you in a whole new way. So with James and Lee coming back, and all of your love for Saw, it was time to bring it home.”
Craig Zobel Is Directing Adaptation of Comic Book Horror ‘Something Is Killing the Children’
Director Craig Zobel announced he will direct the adaptation of James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera’s “Something Is Killing the Children.”
Blumhouse is developing the franchise both as a live-action film and an adult animated television series, with Tynion IV spearheading the latter. Stephen Christy and James Tynion IV will produce the film for BOOM! Studios and Penguin Random House, alongside Jason Blum for Blumhouse. Shaun Sutton, Ryan Turek, Adam Yoelin and Mette Norkjaer will executive produce. Dell’Edera will as co-produce.
Blumhouse Is Making More Than Just Movies
And TV shows. The production company’s horror game, “Grave Seasons,” is officially launching March 9, following a couple years of teasing the game’s arrival. Blum shared they will also share prize packs that include Fortnite codes that celebrate the Purge’s Lady Liberty as part of Fortnightmares.
