Universal Locks Down ‘Obsession’ Director Curry Barker for New Horror Film
There’s been a bidding war brewing around Hollywood ever since Obsession exploded onto the scene, and tonight we finally know where Curry Barker is headed next.
After weeks of speculation and reports that multiple studios were aggressively pursuing the filmmaker for his next project, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed this evening that Barker will officially make his next feature at Universal Pictures.
In closing, Barker will write, produce, and direct his untitled fourth film for Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Universal, described as a rich eight-figure deal.
Also producing are Roy Lee and Steven Schneider’s Spooky Pictures and Adam Hendricks and Greg Gilreath’s Divide/Conquer, a banner behind horror movies such as The Black Phone and Heart Eyes.
The news isn’t entirely surprising. Industry chatter has suggested that Barker’s next directing assignment had become one of the hottest packages in town, with studios reportedly circling the filmmaker following the breakout success of Obsession. Reports also indicated that Universal’s existing first-look between Barker and the Universal/Blumhouse-Atomic Monster machine may have discouraged some competitors from getting too aggressive. While details of the deal remain under wraps, Universal has now officially planted its flag.
The announcement comes as Obsession continues to defy expectations at the box office. Weeks into its theatrical run, the film has shown remarkable staying power, posting unusually small weekend-to-weekend drops while continuing to attract audiences. Barker has rapidly gone from internet horror wunderkind to one of the most sought-after young filmmakers working today.
Before he gets to this newly announced Universal project, Barker already has another major studio horror film on deck. The filmmaker is currently in post-production on Anything But Ghosts, his upcoming supernatural horror feature for Focus Features. That film reunites him with Blumhouse, Atomic Monster, Roy Lee, and Spooky Pictures and stars Aaron Paul, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Violet McGraw.
And, of course, Barker is also attached to tackle A24’s upcoming reimagining of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, making him one of the busiest names in horror right now.
As for this newly announced Universal project, that’s where the details end. We don’t know the title. We don’t know the plot. We don’t know who’s starring.
We just know it’s happening.
And given Barker’s current hot streak, that’s more than enough reason for horror fans to start paying attention.
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