Irish filmmaker Lee Cronin has been selected to receive an Oscar Wilde Award, an accolade honoring contributions to film, television, and music by individuals from Ireland and beyond. The ceremony will take place on March 12, 2024, at the Ebell Theater in Los Angeles, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the awards. This year’s event is organized by the US-Ireland Alliance, which has previously recognized talents such as Maura Tierney and Domhnall Gleeson.
Cronin, known for his work on acclaimed horror films like The Hole in the Ground and Evil Dead Rise, has made a significant impact on the genre. His upcoming project, a reboot of The Mummy, is set for global release on April 17, 2024. The ceremony will also feature a performance by Irish singer Dave Lofts.
Raised in Skerries, a coastal town near Dublin, Cronin, 43, originally dreamed of becoming a fisherman, a clown, and a Ghostbuster. His passion for classic genre films led him to realize that filmmaking could fulfill all these aspirations. After producing several horror-themed short films, Cronin garnered attention with his feature debut, The Hole in the Ground, which premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. The film was acquired by A24 and DirecTV ahead of its release.
Following this success, Cronin directed Evil Dead Rise, which premiered at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in 2023. The film, which became the fifth installment in the Evil Dead franchise, grossed an impressive $147 million on a budget of $19 million, earning Cronin the Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Director.
His upcoming iteration of The Mummy, produced by James Wan’s Atomic Monster, Jason Blum’s Blumhouse, and New Line Cinema, has generated anticipation. Cronin has stated, “This will be unlike any Mummy movie you ever laid eyeballs on before. I’m digging deep into the earth to raise something very ancient and very frightening.” The film will feature Irish actor Jack Reynor in a leading role.
Commenting on Cronin’s achievements, Trina Vargo, president of the US-Ireland Alliance, remarked, “Lee’s trajectory is impressive. And to have his name precede the title of the film, that’s a rarity for any director.” The Oscar Wilde Awards will also see support from Northern Ireland Screen and Screen Ireland, both major sponsors of the event.
As the awards approach, the recognition of Cronin underscores the growing influence of Irish talent in the global film industry, particularly within the horror genre.