WGTC: During your pre-screening introduction, you also mentioned how Blumhouse is always looking to push the envelope and back more ambitious projects. Is Unfriended the most ambitious film you’ve ever been a part of, and if not, how would you like to top it?
Jason Blum: I don’t think it’s the most, but I think it’s one of the most. It’s super unusual to have a movie like Unfriended as a wide release, and not something that’s kept to VOD. And how do I top it? You tell me. [Laughing]. I’m always looking for the next idea. I don’t make the movies. They’re not my ideas, so I just look for the next Oren Peli.
WGTC: So are you drawn to films based on ambition?
Jason Blum: I’m looking for stuff that’s out there and scary. I think those two things are very connected. Movies are scarier when they’re original, because people haven’t seen whatever the story is yet. I might think there are better jump-scares in movies that I’ve done versus Unfriended, but it gets under your skin in this terrific way. It’s super creepy and haunting. A lot of that is because you haven’t seen it before. I’m looking for the scariest stuff out there, and nine times out of ten, the scariest material is stuff we haven’t seen before. I’m not looking for different for the sake of being different, I’m looking for scary.
WGTC: So you’re not a hipster…
Jason Blum: I’m DEFINITELY not a hipster. [Laughs]
WGTC: Can you offer any updates on the status of Oren Peli’s Area 51? We talked about it briefly when you were in New York City about a year and a half ago, and you said Oren was still “futzing” with the film in post production. He can’t possibly still be futzing with it, can he? Are we EVER going to see it?
Jason Blum: The movie is officially done. I will say that. There’s no more “futzing” with the production. I do believe it’ll see the light of day. It’s been what, five years? I go on the record saying I believe it will see the light of day.
WGTC: Do you think it will be theatrical, or can you see Area 51 going the Video On Demand route that a few of your films saw this past year?
Jason Blum: It’s not up to me, but I think [VOD] would be a good way to release the film.
WGTC: With the Blumhouse model, you’re able to make horror films for microbudgets that become profitable even though they might not make $100 million domestically. With a film like The Lazarus Effect, where it’s technically a success based on the numbers, is the gain big enough to warrant a sequel? If your budget is $3 million, and the movie takes in $20 million, is that enough to greenlight a sequel?
Jason Blum: No. There’s no definite number that lets you make a sequel, because it’s a financial decision based on how well the movie has done, and also how well it was received. It’s also a mythology question. There’s no real set number, but I can tell you that $20 million isn’t enough. [Laughing] No, but that was a solid single. I wish The Lazarus Effect did better, and I think it deserves better, but there’s no one to blame.
WGTC: Well something we do know that’s going ahead is The Purge 3, and when I talked to Michael K. Williams about The Purge: Anarchy, he was very excited to reprise his role as Carmello if there was going to be a threequel. Is there a focus on getting Carmello back in the mix? I know James is working on the story now…
Jason Blum: I would LOVE to have Michael back. We unfortunately have to service the story first, but we’d really love to get him again.
WGTC: Now, Brad Fuller said that The Purge 3 won’t be a prequel, but I’m curious if we know where the story is headed. Will it just be another night of purging, or will the story attempt to address other mythological questions, and maybe take place on days around The Purge?
Jason Blum: Oh, you better believe there will be some purging. There WILL be purging, but the idea we’re discussing has more mythology to it. But it’s top secret, you know that!
That concludes our interview, but I’d like to thank Jason Blum for his time. Be sure to catch Unfriended when it opens in theaters on April 17th!