The recently merged companies helmed by James Wan and Jason Blum have granted their first greenlight to a highly anticipated movie. Rising filmmaker Lee Cronin, renowned for his thrilling Evil Dead Rise, has embarked on a mysterious new project, described as a contemporary reinterpretation of an ancient tale. This bold endeavor has been jointly backed by Wan's Atomic Monster and Blum's Blumhouse, with New Line Cinema set to distribute the film worldwide on April 17, 2026.
Cronin, who will both write and direct the movie, marks this as a significant milestone as the first feature film to receive the greenlight under the newly merged Atomic Monster and Blumhouse banner. His production company, Doppelgängers, will also be involved in the project, building on the success of Evil Dead Rise, which grossed a staggering $147 million globally.
In a statement, Cronin teased "something wickedly entertaining and terrifying," while expressing his gratitude for collaborating with such esteemed partners. "Working with Jason, James, and the exceptional teams from these two legendary and highly successful organizations is a dream come true," he enthused. "And returning to New Line Cinema, along with my amazing partners there, is the ultimate cherry on top."
Wan praised Cronin as "a brilliantly talented horror filmmaker whose storytelling abilities have thrilled and electrified audiences worldwide." Blum echoed this sentiment, adding, "Cronin brings a captivating, modern perspective to an age-old concept that I believe will resonate deeply with moviegoers."
Cronin first garnered widespread attention with his 2019 debut film, The Hole in the Ground, which premiered at Sundance and was released by A24. The film centered on a haunting tale of a woman's growing belief that her young son might be a doppelgänger. Appropriately, Cronin named his production company Doppelgängers and recently inked a first-look deal with New Line, further solidifying his position as a rising star in the horror genre.
