‘Obsession’ Director Curry Barker Signs Eight-Figure Deal for New Universal Horror Movie

Curry Barker is already gearing up for his next major project following the phenomenal success of ‘Obsession.’ As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the filmmaker has secured a substantial eight-figure deal with Universal Film Group and Blumhouse Atomic Monster to develop a new original horror film.

Under this new agreement, Barker will take on the roles of writer, director, and producer for the project. While specific details about the storyline are under wraps, the film is based on an original concept that Barker personally pitched to Universal executives.

This deal represents another significant milestone in Barker’s rapidly ascending career. Recently, ‘Obsession’ emerged as one of Hollywood’s biggest surprise hits, achieving remarkable box office success and igniting discussions across social media and among film enthusiasts.

The collaboration keeps Barker aligned with the studios that have supported his recent endeavors. ‘Obsession’ was released by Focus Features, a part of the Universal family, which is also behind Barker’s second film, ‘Anything But Ghosts,’ already filmed. Barker not only wrote and directed that project but also stars in it.

Blumhouse Atomic Monster has been a key player in Barker’s journey from the start. The company joined ‘Obsession’ after its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and also contributed to ‘Anything But Ghosts.’ They will once again be involved in Barker’s upcoming project.

Additional producers for the new horror film include Roy Lee and Steven Schneider from Spooky Pictures, along with Adam Hendricks and Greg Gilreath from Divide/Conquer, known for their work on horror films like ‘The Black Phone’ and ‘Heart Eyes.’

Universal executives are clearly enthusiastic about continuing their partnership with Barker. In a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter, NBCUniversal Entertainment chairman Donna Langley commended the filmmaker’s work.

“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,” Langley stated. “Barker’s talent is redefining what’s possible and we’re thrilled to continue our partnership with him.”

The success of ‘Obsession’ has been pivotal in facilitating this new deal. Since its release in May, the film has continued to excel at the box office, becoming the highest-grossing release in Focus Features history and is on track to surpass $300 million globally. Originally produced independently for just $750,000, it was acquired by Focus Features after its festival debut.

Barker expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating once again with Universal and Blumhouse Atomic Monster.

“This film is something I’ve been excited to make for a while, and I’m thrilled to be reteaming with Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Universal Film Group for it,” he remarked. “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.”

Blumhouse Atomic Monster leaders James Wan and Jason Blum also lauded Barker’s accomplishments. In a joint statement, they noted, “With ‘Obsession,’ Curry did what only a handful of filmmakers manage in a generation: he made something wholly original that connected with a massive audience, and that connection is what we care about most.”

For now, the plot of Barker’s new horror movie remains a mystery. However, it is evident that following the breakout success of ‘Obsession,’ Universal is making a significant investment in one of the horror genre’s most promising filmmakers.

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