Jason Blum has been behind some of the most profitable horror films of the past decade and a half. His signature model—making movies on modest budgets and releasing them wide in theaters—has yielded massive returns. After finding early success with Paranormal ActivityandInsidious, Blum moved into legacy IPs, producing new installments in both theHalloweenandExorcistfranchises.
While his track record with existing properties has been mixed (Halloween Kills, Halloween Ends, andThe Exorcist: Believerdrew sharp criticism from fans and scholars alike), Blum’s passion for horror icons hasn’t waned. In fact, he’s setting his sights on two of the genre’s biggest names.
In a recent interview with Variety, Blum revealed his dream acquisitions: A Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th.
“Friday the 13th and Freddy Krueger—those are my two white whales,” he said. “We’re always haggling. I make a run at them every day. I will never give up the quest. And if they make one without me, I’ll chase the next movie.”
Blum’s pursuit of major horror IPs has become something of a personal crusade. He recently secured a stake in the Saw franchise and intends to shepherd more sequels. However, he wasn’t as lucky with The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Blumhouse reportedly lost a bidding war to A24, which is now developing a television adaptation of that property.
Founded in 2000 by Jason Blum and Amy Israel (then known as Blum Israel Productions), Blumhouse has since become a dominant force in horror, grossing billions of dollars in box-office revenue. And while the company shows no signs of slowing down, Blum seems particularly fixated on one goal: bringing Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees under the Blumhouse banner.
“I like taking IP that people are cynical about and turning expectations on their head,” Blum said of his approach to reviving familiar brands.
Whether or not he succeeds, Blum’s ongoing pursuit of these “white whales” underscores his enduring belief that even the most overexposed monsters can rise again—with the right touch.
