Paul Feig To Direct ‘Detention’ For Blumhouse Atomic Monster And Platinum Dunes
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Director Paul Feig, best known for comedies, is set to helm a horror thriller titled Detention for the production companies Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Platinum Dunes. The move follows the strong performance of his recent film The Housemaid, and reflects his stated desire to pursue darker material, marking a notable shift in genre for the filmmaker.
The film is based on a spec script by Daniel Gold, with producers including Michael Bay, Jason Blum, Brad Fuller, Cameron Fuller, Feig and Laura Fischer, while the plot and logline remain under wraps. No studio is yet attached, though Universal is expected to have first refusal given its ties to the two companies, which have made eight films together since the first Purge in 2013. Feig's The Housemaid, starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, earned more than $400 million worldwide and a sequel, The Housemaid's Secret, is due on 17 December 2027; his films have collectively grossed over $1.6 billion.
- Paul Feig will direct horror thriller Detention for Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Platinum Dunes.
- The plot is secret; Universal is likely to get first refusal.
- Follows Feig's $400m hit The Housemaid, as he seeks darker material.
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Directors don't always stick to one genre, and Paul Feig is a case in point: he made his name with comedies such as Bridesmaids, Spy and The Heat, but in recent years has moved into darker territory. His thriller The Housemaid, released this year and starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, took over $400 million at the box office, prompting a sequel and reinforcing his standing with studios even outside comedy.
Blumhouse and Atomic Monster (Jason Blum's outfit) and Platinum Dunes (co-founded by Michael Bay) are two of Hollywood's best-known horror production companies, having worked together on franchises including The Purge since 2013. Their new project with Feig, a horror thriller called Detention, is based on an original script by Daniel Gold whose story details have not been made public.
No studio has formally signed on to distribute the film yet, though Universal, which has existing ties to both production companies, is seen as the likely candidate. The project is notable chiefly because it pairs a director known for comedy with two of the industry's leading horror producers, reflecting a broader pattern of established filmmakers branching into new genres.
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