Curry Barker Secures Eight-Figure Deal for Untitled Horror Film

Universal Film Group and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster have signed Curry Barker to write, direct and produce his next untitled horror feature. Reports describe the agreement as a “rich eight-figure deal.” Production partners include Spooky Pictures (Roy Lee, Steven Schneider) and Divide/Conquer (Adam Hendricks, Greg Gilreath). Universal will handle worldwide distribution.

Variety Magazine

*Obsession* opened May 15, posted four consecutive weekends above its $17.2 million debut, and became Focus Features’ highest-grossing release. Box-office figures are reported as $297 million and $300 million worldwide. The film was made on a $750,000 budget. Barker’s second film, *Anything But Ghosts*, is in post-production and stars Aaron Paul, Bryce Dallas Howard and Violet McGraw.

Hollywood Reporter

• Curry Barker – Writer-director-producer, represented by United Talent Agency, Underground, The Lede Company and Yorn Levine.

Variety Magazine

• Donna Langley – Chairman, NBCUniversal Entertainment.

Just Jared

• James Wan & Jason Blum – Co-founders of Blumhouse-Atomic Monster.

Variety Magazine

• Roy Lee & Steven Schneider – Spooky Pictures.

Deadline Hollywood

• Adam Hendricks & Greg Gilreath – Divide/Conquer.

Deadline Hollywood

• *Obsession* budget: $750,000.

Hollywood Reporter

• Reported gross: $297 million (source 5) or $300 million (sources 1, 3).

Hollywood Reporter

• Opening weekend: $17.2 million.

Hollywood Reporter

• Deal value: eight-figure, described as “rich.”

Variety Magazine

• One source cites a $10 million pre-emptive offer.

Variety Magazine

NBCUniversal’s Donna Langley praised Barker’s cultural relevance and affirmed the partnership’s continuation. Blumhouse-Atomic Monster’s James Wan and Jason Blum highlighted Barker’s originality and the company’s commitment to delivering his work. Barker expressed excitement about re-teaming with the collaborators, noting the supportive environment for bold storytelling.

Deadline Hollywood

• “Curry Barker has an exceptional ability to tap into the cultural zeitgeist, pairing an innate instinct for what resonates with audiences with extraordinary filmmaking prowess,” — Donna Langley, NBCUniversal Entertainment Chairman

Hollywood Reporter

• “ “With ‘Obsession,’ Curry did what only a handful of filmmakers manage in a generation: he made something wholly original that connected with a massive audience, and that connection is what we care about most.” — James Wan and Jason Blum, Blumhouse-Atomic Monster

Variety Magazine

• “This film is something I’ve been excited to make for a while, and I’m thrilled to be reteaming with Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Universal Film Group for it.” — Curry Barker

Just Jared

• “They’ve built the kind of home for bold, original storytelling that every filmmaker dreams of, and I couldn’t imagine better collaborators for this film.” — Curry Barker

Hollywood Reporter

Sources differ on whether the new project is Barker’s third or fourth feature. Deal descriptions range from “eight-figure” to “rich eight-figure,” and one outlet mentions a $10 million sight-unseen pre-emptive offer. Box-office totals for *Obsession* vary between $297 million and $300 million. No cast or plot details have been released.

Hollywood Reporter

*Anything But Ghosts* will soon debut, featuring Aaron Paul and Bryce Dallas Howard. Barker is also attached to an A24 *Texas Chainsaw Massacre* reimagining and has hinted at a possible *Obsession* sequel. Production details for the Universal horror film have not been disclosed.

Universal Locks Down ‘Obsession’ Director Curry Barker for New Horror Film