The original Paranormal Activity, released in 2007, was an absolute sensation that is still regarded by many to be one of the scariest films ever made. But the film’s numerous sequels, the most recent being 2015’s Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension, have arguably done more to sully the original’s reputation rather than add to its legend. But now, the series will have a chance to turn things around, as a new Paranormal Activity film has just been announced.
Deadline reports that Paramount will be partnering with Blumhouse Productions on a new installment in the franchise. “We are partnering with uber horror producer Jason Blum to bring a new installment of Paranormal Activity,” said Paramount Chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos, according to the site. But beyond the announcement, nothing else is known about the project. No title, no story, no release date, nada.
With basically no information to go on, it’s hard to say whether or not the new film will be a reboot or another sequel. The Ghost Dimension has the distinction of being the worst-reviewed film in the franchise (a lowly 15 percent on Rotten Tomatoes) as well as being the only film in the series to fail to gross at least $20 million at the U.S. box office. So given the downward trend of the series, a reboot may make sense. Then again, the films are still profitable as is — Ghost Dimension, while the least successful film, still made more than seven times its budget — suggesting there may be a desire from the studio to not throw the baby out with the bathwater and just tweak the franchise rather than do a hard reboot.
Whatever ends up happening, it looks like we’ll be getting another found footage horror film featuring a person standing creepily by a bed sometime in the near future.
