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mania Director Cary Parker has become Hollywood’s latest obsession. But his meteoric rise, which continues to streak across the sky, heralds a generational shift in terms of where the industry’s next filmmakers can come from.
After his horror film’s astonishing second-weekend performance, in which it defied the laws of gravity by making more money than its first weekend, Parker has already made offers, or tried to make offers, anyway, and has yet to pitch his next project.
According to sources, one studio is so excited to work with Parker and believes so much in the YouTuber turned theatrical filmmaker that it tried to make a preemptive offer of $10 million for Parker’s next original project, without anyone seeing it.
“Trying” is the word, sources also say Hollywood Reporter This is based on a deal that was previously reached maniaReleased via Universal Pictures’ dedicated Focus Features arm, the film’s production banner, Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, which has a first-look deal with Universal, has the right to first negotiations on the director’s next original feature.
When the studio learned of this, it moved off the pedal, according to multiple sources. But it puts that company in an awkward position if Blumhouse and Universal don’t participate. The third studio is also said to be gathering forces to make the move.
There are no details known about the new project and there are no producers currently attached to it. It’s possible that Parker will meet with Universal executives to pitch this new project as early as today.
A representative for Universal could not be reached for comment. Both UTA and Underground, Parker’s representative, also could not be reached for comment.
Although there were no offers, let alone negotiations, the studio’s interest turned the heat from a gentle simmer to a propulsive one. Some believe that the situation is possible This led to a competition between Universal and this first studio (or another) that could reach up to $20 million.
The studio’s top executives were shocked by the performance mania. It was produced for just $750,000 and then picked up by Focus at the Toronto International Film Festival for $15 million. mania It grossed $17.1 million domestically in its opening weekend. Word of mouth was so strong that he was bringing in about $3 million a day during the week. During its second weekend, the film grossed $23.9 million, an increase of 39 percent. It amounts to $62.3 million domestically.
Parker has already filmed his next film for Focus, Anything but ghostsIt is in the editing stage. Co-written with creative star Cooper Tomlinson, and starring the duo. (Blumhouse-Atomic Monster is one of the producers on this film.) He recently inked a deal to write and direct. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre For A24.
This is happening as the A24 prepares to open Back roomsa horror film from another YouTube filmmaker, Ken Parsons, which is expected to go for $45 million to $50 million. This will be A24’s biggest debut ever. Parsons could be next in line for a payday. (Fortunately, Blumhouse-Atomic Monster is also producing this film.)
Earlier this year, YouTuber Mark Fischback, known as Markiplier, directed and distributed a self-financed sci-fi horror film. Iron lungwhich grossed $50 million on a budget of $3 million.
This new group of filmmakers and their films seem to strike a chord with Gen Z audiences in a way that films routinely did with 20-something viewers in the 2000s. Marvel and Star Wars movies, plus 20 remakesy The successes of the past century no longer attract the desired young demographic as they once did.
“The moment has come,” says one studio head. “YouTube blesses these filmmakers and we’re struggling to catch up. Right now, it’s about not being second to the party.”
