Deadline (via FearHQ.com) has revealed that a new Friday the 13th movie is officially in the works, bringing Jason Voorhees back to the big screen for the first time in close to two decades.
This will be the thirteenth movie in the long-running horror franchise, and comes hot on the heels of Peacock and A24's well-received Crystal Lake. Steve Miner (Friday the 13th Part 2, Friday the 13th Part III, Halloween H20: 20 Years Later) is set to direct the movie, from a script by newcomer David Fliegel.
Interestingly, Friday the 13th is heading back to its independent roots, with the Barsamian family (who controls the franchise through Horror, Inc.) set to finance and produce this next chapter. In fact, it's being developed without the involvement of any major studio.
Robbie Barsamian, Executive Vice President of Horror, Inc., said, "For generations of fans, Jason’s identity is inseparable from the creative choices Steve Miner brought to the screen. Reuniting with Steve under a fully independent model allows us the creative control to honor what makes Jason the greatest slasher of all time and deliver the definitive theatrical event that today’s audiences expect."
Miner added, "When I put the hockey mask on Jason for Friday the 13th Part III, I knew it would create a truly scary image that would work for that movie. I had no idea that it would live on as one of the most iconic symbols in horror films. I’m thrilled to come back and continue the legacy."
Cineverse (Terrifier) has secured the North American distribution rights, with CatchLight Studios (Heretic, Umma) also on board as Horror, Inc.'s production partner.
Chris McGurk, Chairman and CEO of Cineverse, noted, "Jason is one of the most recognisable figures in cinema history. We have a proven track record of empowering uncompromising genre filmmaking and connecting it directly with passionate audiences, and are honoured to be a part of bringing Jason back to theaters where he belongs."
"Bringing an icon like Jason back to the screen requires dedication to craft and a deep respect for the fandom," Jeanette Volturno, Co-Founder of Catchlight Studios, shared. "We’re excited to collaborate with Steve and Robbie to create a practically-shot film that is relentless, cinematic and terrifying."
The Friday the 13th franchise is one of horror's most enduring and influential properties, with Jason Voorhees becoming an iconic figure in the slasher genre. Beginning with Sean S. Cunningham's original 1980 movie, the series has spawned 12 films, including a crossover with A Nightmare on Elm Street and a 2009 reboot.
If the image below is any indication, there are big plans for Jason Voorhees and the "Jason Un1v3rse."