Director named for new 'Paranormal Activity' horror film.

Paramount Pictures is actively moving forward with its preparations to reboot the cult horror franchise.

Following the announcement of a partnership with Blumhouse and Atomic Monster, Paramount Pictures has advanced to the next stage of production for the new version of Paranormal Activity. The project, which aims to breathe new life into one of the most recognizable horror film series of the 21st century, has now found its director.

Who will direct the new installment of the franchise

The reboot will be directed by Canadian filmmaker Yann Toussaint, a name increasingly heard in the context of genre cinema in recent years. For him, participating in the revival of Paranormal Activity will be the most ambitious project of his career and a significant step towards major studio horror.

The appointment was made less than two weeks after the official confirmation of Paramount's partnership with Blumhouse and Atomic Monster, highlighting the studio's intention to expedite the start of production.

Return to the 'Found Footage' Format

The new film is conceived as a return to the series' roots—the 'found footage' aesthetic with which the franchise debuted in 2007. It was precisely this format that originally created the effect of documentary realism and became one of the reasons for the phenomenal success of the original film.

To date, seven films have been released within the series, all distinguished by high profitability due to minimal budgets and sustained audience interest in supernatural stories unfolding in familiar, domestic settings.

The Story of One of the Most Profitable Horror Films

The original Paranormal Activity was made for a mere $15,000 and later reworked by DreamWorks Pictures (which was under the Paramount umbrella at the time) with an additional investment of around $200,000. It grossed $194.2 million worldwide and is still considered one of the most profitable projects in film history.

The success of this film largely laid the foundation for Blumhouse's transformation into a leading horror studio in modern Hollywood.

The Production Team and Paramount's Role

Paramount Pictures will serve as a full partner in the project, participating in its financing, production, and international distribution. The creator of the original film, Oren Peli, will also return to the franchise as a producer through his company, Solana Films.

Notably, James Wan—one of the most influential producers and directors in contemporary horror, instrumental in launching franchises like Saw, Insidious, and The Conjuring—will be involved with Paranormal Activity for the first time.

Plot details and the start date for filming have not yet been revealed. However, the active preparation phase indicates that the studio intends to present its updated vision for one of its most successful series in the near future.