A major Paranormal Activity creator is done with the franchise after Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin. A found footage horror franchise focusing on different families as they are haunted by mysterious supernatural demonic creatures. With monsters in every corner, just surviving in the world of Paranormal Activity is difficult, especially as the demon Tobi continues to hunt humans across the globe.
Yet, despite the success of the Paranormal Activity franchise, producer Jason Blum says the series should end after Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin. Evidently, he isn’t alone. In an interview with IndieWire, a regularly returning Paranormal Activity director, writer, and producer, Christopher Landon, explained that he isn’t particularly interested in returning to the franchise at all. Check out his quote below, via ComicBook.com:
“We made one during COVID, and it was one of those things that just kind of happened, and I had no intention of even really being involved because I was like, oh, I’m done with that franchise, I really don’t want to do it,” he said. “And then I had this weirdo idea about a fake Amish community and we ended up making the movie. I mean, it’s a franchise. They’re always going to make another one. I don’t see how they don’t, I just don’t know what they’re planning, and I highly doubt I’ll be involved anymore.”
What’s Next For Paranormal Activity?
With major figures, including Blum and Landon, expressing their disinterest in Paranormal Activity, the future of the franchise looks painfully bleak. Paranormal Activity has always been a massive success, as the original Paranormal Activity earned $193,355,800 on a $15,000 budget. The profit has waned over the years, though the franchise still draws audiences, as Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones brought in $143 million on a $5 million budget.
Yet the Paranormal Activity series may still be over, if the creators get their way. Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic and released through Paramount+, rather than in theaters and released to mixed responses and little approval. The film has become a low point in the franchise, and it may be one that it never recovers from.
While there were reports in summer 2022 that Paranormal Activity 8 has been in development, Paramount quickly refuted the statements. At the moment, there have been no acknowledgments that Paranormal Activity 8 is even being considered, let alone developed. With the studio’s bizarre death rules for Paranormal Activity, it’s no wonder creators are stepping away from the franchise, as they are no longer allowed to kill many major characters, which can limit creative freedom. Whatever the future looks like for Paranormal Activity, it doesn’t seem that Landon will be involved.
Source: IndieWire (via ComicBook.com)