In an unexpected twist, rumors have been swirling that the director of the highly anticipated horror flick, Backrooms, Kane Parsons, isn't actually at the helm. Some social media sleuths have tried to cast doubt on the 20-year-old prodigy, possibly due to his youth, but it seems these rumors are as dead as a doornail. With Hollywood heavyweights like James Wan (The Conjuring), Shawn Levy (Deadpool and Wolverine), and Osgood Perkins (Longlegs) backing the project, some speculated that they might be pulling the strings, aka 'ghost directing.' However, actor Mark Duplass set the record straight, emphatically denying the claims on his social media platforms. He even went as far as posting an Instagram video praising Parsons' preparedness and creative prowess, particularly his ability to work with actors - a skill that was previously uncharted territory for the young director. Parsons himself had a laugh about it all, commenting on a YouTube video from Dolan Darkest, "You got me! They don’t tell you this, but 96% of all movies released in North America and Europe are actually directed by the same person. They call him 'The Older Gentleman.' He's been running Hollywood for decades now." Parsons rose to fame as a filmmaker in 2022 with his debut liminal short horror film, The Backrooms. The viral success of this project caught the attention of A24, who recruited him to develop it into a feature film. Early reviews suggest that Backrooms will be a strong and promising debut for Parsons, potentially paving the way for more projects in the future. IGN gave Backrooms an 8/10, praising its blend of superb visuals, excellent characterization, and the lore of the Backrooms to create a terrifying and thrilling big-screen debut for the liminal horror classic. With young YouTubers like Curry Barker (Obsession) and Danny Philippou & Michael Philippou AKA RackaRacka (Talk to Me) already making waves in the film industry, it's clear that a new generation of savvy directors is emerging, capable of turning a profit on small budgets. Cade Onder, a freelancer for IGN's news team, covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.