DeWanda Wise Starring & Exec Producing Lionsgate & Blumhouse’s Original Horror Pic ‘Imaginary’

Anthony D'Alessandro

7 November 2023 at 3:51 pm·2-min read

EXCLUSIVE: DeWanda Wise is toplining Lionsgate and Blumhouse’s original horror movie Imaginary which is set for theatrical release on March 8, 2024.

The Jurassic World Dominion star will also executive produce the Jeff Wadlow directed and co-written pic which begs the question: Are they really figments of childhood imagination or is something more terrifying lying just beneath?

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In the movie, Jessica (Wise) moves back into her childhood home with her family. Her youngest stepdaughter Alice develops an eerie attachment to a stuffed bear named Chauncey she finds in the basement. Alice starts playing games with Chauncey that begin playful and become increasingly sinister. As Alice’s behavior becomes more and more concerning, Jessica intervenes only to realize Chauncey is much more than the stuffed toy bear she believed him to be.

Wadlow co-wrote with Greg Erb and Jason Oremland. Wadlow produces with Jason Blum. EPs are Wise and Ryan Turek.

Last week the studio debuted its innovative “imaginary” trailer, designed to be experienced exclusively in theaters with eyes closed. Audiences for Five Nights at Freddy’s were the first to jump out of their seats while watching it.

Wadlow tells Deadline, “DeWanda has been more than a star on this movie – she has been a full creative partner. So much of horror grows out of our most basic fears from childhood, and DeWanda taps into all of that. You know that old saying that the audience’s imagination is scarier than any movie? We’re going to put that to the test.”

Wise is starring in the Starz series adaptation of Lisa Taddeo’s Three Women, opposite Shailene Woodley and Betty Gilpin as well as the feature Poolman, the directorial debut of Chris Pine, which made its world premiere at TIFF. It was also recently announced that she will star in the supernatural thriller Killing Faith. Wise also starred in the Netflix Western movie The Harder They Fall directed by Jeymes Samuel. She is represented by CAA, M88, and Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein Lezcano Bobb & Dang.

Imaginary wrapped production before the SAG-AFTRA strike commenced on July 14.

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