DeWanda Wise is set to star in and executive produce the upcoming horror-thriller Imaginary for Blumhouse Productions and Lionsgate, THR reveals.

The film, which is directed by Jeff Wadlow (Fantasy Island, Truth or Dare), will follow Jessica (Wise) as she moves back into her childhood home with her family, as her youngest stepdaughter Alice develops an eerie attachment to Jessica’s old stuffed bear, Chauncy. Alice begins to play games with Chauncey that become increasingly sinister, until Jessica feels the need to intervene – only to realise that Chauncey is no mere stuffed toy.

“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,” Wadlow says.

Best known for her starring role in Spike Lee’s 2017 series She’s Gotta Have It, Wise has also appeared in Jurassic World Dominion and The Harder They Fall, as well as Chris Pine’s directorial debut, Poolman.

Imaginary will be released to cinemas by Lionsgate from March 8th, 2024.