The horror genre has finally found a new visionary to watch. From creating indie micro-budget shorts and comedy sketches on YouTube to delivering a bone-chilling box office sensation that will easily remain among this year’s best, Curry Barker has indeed come a long way.
The stunning ascent of the talented 26-year-old director has cemented his status as Hollywood’s newest genre auteur. Following the blockbuster success of his debut feature ‘Obsession,’ Barker has secured his third film, an original horror concept, with Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Universal Film Group. Here are the details we know so far.
Curry Barker Takes Charge Of His Third Project
Curry Barker will reportedly maintain complete creative control as the upcoming film’s writer, director, and producer. The director secured backing from Universal Film Group through his relationships with major producers, including Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, Spooky Pictures, and Divide/Conquer.
Related: ‘Obsession 2’ Gets Major Update as Director Curry Barker Reveals Surprise Sequel Strategy
Barker’s third feature film draws on an original idea from his pitch, with further plot details still under wraps. The Hollywood Reporter was the first to break the news of this highly coveted eight-figure deal.
Meanwhile, the same group of producers has previously backed Baker’s second feature film, ‘Anything But Ghosts,’ which is currently in post-production. Barker weighed in on the project, saying, “This film is something I’ve been excited to make for a while.”
“And I’m thrilled to be re-teaming with Blumhouse-Atomic Monster and Universal Film Group for it,” he added. “They’ve built the kind of home for bold, original storytelling that every filmmaker dreams of, and I couldn’t imagine better collaborators for this film.”
Earlier, Blumhouse Atomic Monster’s James Wan and Jason Blum also released a joint statement. The duo praised Barker’s ability to come up with an original idea that ultimately resonated with the audience, as reflected in the massive success of ‘Obsession.’
“The best filmmakers can work anywhere, and we are proud to have a growing slate with Curry. Getting to put this project in front of the fans his work speaks to is the whole reason we do this,” the remaining statement read.
A Star-Studded Cast For Barker’s Next Feature
At the time of writing, industry experts have projected ‘Obsession’ to gross over $300 million worldwide. It has already become the biggest hit in the history of Focus Features, a wholly owned production and distribution division of Universal Pictures.
In Case You Missed It: ‘Obsession’ Director Curry Barker Explains The Hidden Monkey’s Paw Inspiration
And now, they are leading ‘Anything But Ghosts,’ which Barker has co-written with Cooper Tomlinson. Featuring Barker himself alongside Aaron Paul and Bryce Dallas Howard, the movie follows two fake paranormal investigators who confront actual ghosts and the lies on which they built their business.
Interestingly, Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, Spooky Pictures, and Divide/Conquer had already signed up for Barker’s second project even before the release of ‘Obsession’ at the Toronto International Film Festival last year. Blumhouse Atomic Monster later served as the movie’s executive producer.
This unparalleled backing from the executives has given the director the freedom to flourish as an artist. He can now avoid the dreaded sophomore slump and embrace uncompromising storytelling that boldly stretches the current limits of horror cinema.
Recently, NBCUniversal Entertainment chairman Donna Langley openly praised Barker’s inherent talent for reflecting modern societal anxieties on screen.
“Curry Barker has an exceptional ability to tap into the cultural zeitgeist, pairing an innate instinct for what resonates with audiences with extraordinary filmmaking prowess,” she said. “Barker’s talent is redefining what’s possible, and we’re thrilled to continue our partnership with him.”
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