Since breaking onto the scene with the wildly popular — and crazy lucrative — horror film Paranormal Activity, Jason Blum has since become a horror mega-producer. His name is on everything from Get Out to the upcoming Halloween reboot, but he's yet to produce a horror film for a female director. Now, the producer has defended that move.
Speaking with Polygon, Blum argued that there aren't enough female film directors, and that's why it's been difficult to find someone for a Blumhouse horror project.
"We're always trying to do that," he said. "We're not trying to do it because of recent events. We've always been trying. There are not a lot of female directors period, and even less who are inclined to do horror."
Blum added that he's been trying to work with The Babadook director Jennifer Kent for years. "I'm a massive admirer of [hers]," he said. "I've offered her every movie we've had available. She's turned me down every time."
The studio has still hired women to direct films like The Keeping Hours (directed by Karen Moncrieff), Plush (directed by Catherine Hardwicke) and the forthcoming The Lie (directed by Veena Sud).
But here's hoping Blum can dig a little deeper into his list of contacts and start producing some female-led horror films soon.
Update: Blum has since apologized for the statement:
Speaking with Polygon, Blum argued that there aren't enough female film directors, and that's why it's been difficult to find someone for a Blumhouse horror project.
"We're always trying to do that," he said. "We're not trying to do it because of recent events. We've always been trying. There are not a lot of female directors period, and even less who are inclined to do horror."
Blum added that he's been trying to work with The Babadook director Jennifer Kent for years. "I'm a massive admirer of [hers]," he said. "I've offered her every movie we've had available. She's turned me down every time."
The studio has still hired women to direct films like The Keeping Hours (directed by Karen Moncrieff), Plush (directed by Catherine Hardwicke) and the forthcoming The Lie (directed by Veena Sud).
But here's hoping Blum can dig a little deeper into his list of contacts and start producing some female-led horror films soon.
Update: Blum has since apologized for the statement:
— Jason Blum (@jason_blum) October 18, 2018
