Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Atomic Monster have solidified their ongoing relationship with filmmaker Curry Barker, closing an eight-figure deal for his next untitled horror feature. Barker is set to write, direct, and produce the original project.
The announcement arrives amid the historic box office run of Barker’s breakout psychological horror hit, Obsession. Produced on a micro-budget, the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival before being acquired by Focus Features, subsequently grossing over $297 million worldwide.
While the premise for Barker’s newly announced third film under the studio banners is being kept under wraps, the project originates from an original pitch by the director.
“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,” Barker said in a statement accompanying the announcement. “They’ve built the kind of home for bold, original storytelling that every filmmaker dreams of, and I couldn’t imagine better collaborators.”
The deal further expands a busy production slate for the filmmaker. Barker is currently in post-production on Anything But Ghosts, a supernatural horror film said to be set in the same fictional universe as Obsession. That project—co-written by Cooper Tomlinson and starring Aaron Paul, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Violet McGraw—is also backed by Blumhouse and Spooky Pictures.
Studio executives expressed strong faith in continuing the partnership. NBCUniversal Entertainment Chairman Donna Langley praised Barker’s distinct filmmaking style and his innate ability to connect with contemporary audience trends.
The upcoming film will be produced by Spooky Pictures (led by Roy Lee and Steven Schneider) alongside Divide/Conquer (Adam Hendricks and Greg Gilreath). Universal Film Group will handle the worldwide theatrical distribution.