In closing a rich eight-figure deal, Barker will write, produce and direct his third film for Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Universal.

The deal keeps Barker in Universal, as Obsession was released by Universal label Focus Features.

Focus is also behind his already shot second feature, Anything But Ghosts, which he wrote, directed and stars in.

 

Blumhouse Atomic Monster came aboard Obsession after it bowed at the Toronto Film Fest last year, and as a production entity on Anything but Ghosts.

Also producing are Roy Lee and Steven Schneider’s Spooky Pictures and Adam Hendricks and Greg Gilreath’s Divide/Conquer, a banner behind horror movies The Black Phone and Heart Eyes.

All details for the new project are being kept secret, but it is described as a Barker original horror idea. The project was bought off of a pitch Barker made to Universal’s top brass.

“Curry Baker has exceptional ability to tap into the cultural zeitgeist, pairing innate instinct for what resonates with audiences with extraordinary filmmaking prowess,” said NBCUniversal Entertainment chair Donna Langley in a statement. “Barker’s talent is redefining what’s possible and we’re thrilled to continue our partnership with him.”

Since its May 15 release, Obsession has become a pop culture phenom and has driven conversations on the movie business and gender relations.

It is the rare movie to have four consecutive weekends bigger than its opening ($17.2 million) and has become Focus Features’ highest-grossing release of all time.

Still going strong, it is on track to surpass $300 million worldwide this weekend.

A critical and audience sensation, the movie is even starting to generate Oscar buzz. The film was made independently for just $750,000, with Focus buying it out of Toronto.

“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,” Barker stated. “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.”

Blumhouse Atomic Monster partners James Wan and Jason Blum said, “With Obsession, Curry did what only a handful of filmmakers manage in a generation, something wholly original that connected with a massive audience, and that connection is what we care about most. The best filmmakers can work anywhere, and we are proud to have a growing slate with Curry. Getting to put this project in front of the fans is the whole reason we do this.”