Here's why Blair Witch Project star Heather Donahue won't participate in the reboot

A remake of The Blair Witch Project is happening, and Dylan Clark (Transfigure, Portrait of God) is slated to direct. Lionsgate and Blumhouse are teaming up for the reboot, but it's not going to feature the involvement of one of the initial film's three stars.

Heather Donahue, who played film student Heather in the original film, wants no part of the next movie. Deadline reported earlier this week that instead of participating, Donahue, who currently goes by the name Rei Hance, wants to prioritize her image over any involvement with the project. Additionally, in a Facebook comment, she wrote, "There seems to be some willful confusion about my involvement with the reboot," before adding, "I want to clarify that I am not participating." Her comment was written in response to a recent interview with producer James Wan.

The actress also raised several other concerns about returning. She wrote, "I was offered an agreement that, for me personally, raised different long-term questions about rights, future technological use of identity and voice, the ability to speak freely, and compensation. Ultimately, it wasn't something I felt comfortable signing. I genuinely wish everyone involved well. But preserving my autonomy mattered more to me."

During a recent interview with IndieWire, Wan seemed to hint that Donahue would join her former co-stars, Michael Williams and Joshua Leanoard, as executive producers on the reboot, along with the initial filmmakers, Eduardo Sanchez, Daniel Myrick, and Gregg Hale. Wan stated that it was important for him to have the original people involved, along with having their blessing. "That was very important for all of us. We wanted to pay respect the legacy of it all," he said.

The original film was a massive box office success and was shot on a tiny budget over eight days. It earned nearly $250 million at the global box office, making it one of the most successful independent movies of all time. The film's sequel, Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2, released in 2000. That was followed by Blair Witch in 2016. Neither film managed to capture the magic and success of that first movie, nor its cultural legacy. Besides Wan, Jason Blum is also serving as a producer on the new film.

There is no word yet on the reboot will start filming, but we'll keep readers up to date on the status of the reboot.

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