Freddy vs Jason: Book To Chronicle Film’s Journey In Development Hell
By Joey Click
With over 10 years in development hell, New Line’s ‘Freddy vs Jason’ finally came to the big screen in 2003. Now, the story of how is slashing its ways to you this February.
One, Two, “Slash of the Titans” is coming for you!
According to Bloody-Disgusting, “Phantasm: Exhumed” scribe Dustin McNeill is set to bring you the complete history of Ronny Yu’s Freddy vs Jason. Cleverly titled “Slash of the Titans: The Road To FREDDY vs JASON”, the book is being published by Harker Press for a February 2017 release.
With 10 years between 1993’s Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday, where the idea of a mash-up movie was first revealed to the public, and 2003’s Freddy vs Jason, this looks to be the end all retelling of one of horror’s most talked about films. They can consider one copy already sold.
Check out what author Dustin McNeill said to BD in a exclusive scoop:
"Slash of the Titans: The Road to Freddy vs. Jason is not specifically about the 2003 film, but rather about the ten years the project spent in development hell. As I like to say, it’s the story of one film, two horror icons and an army of screenwriters. My book explores ten wildly different directions considered for Freddy vs Jason with comments from many of the people involved. I’m currently shooting for a February release."
Now check out the press notes sent to BD, courtesy of Harker Press, for more on the upcoming release:
Learn about surprising twists that never made it into the finished film. Depending on the draft, Freddy was variously a camper and counselor at Camp Crystal Lake before becoming the Springwood Slasher. Another script charged that Jason was actually one of the original Elm Street kids, his parents among the vigilante mob that burned Freddy alive.
Learn how screenwriters sought to include other genre baddies such as Dracula, the Frankenstein monster, Pinhead, Leatherface, Satan and even Hitler!
Slash of the Titans contains answers to these questions and more…
– Who did Steven Spielberg personally talk out of helming Freddy vs Jason as their directorial debut?
– Which Friday the 13th filmmaker pitched Cheech & Chong Meet Jason to Paramount?
– Whose abandoned draft prompted New Line to begin pre-production on prior to being finished?
– Which future Oscar-winning filmmaker turned down the chance to direct Freddy vs Jason?
– Why did New Line choose the script draft that became the eventual 2003 film?
Dustin McNeill’s “Slash of the Titans: The Road to FREDDY vs JASON”-Courtesy of Harker Press
The story of one film, two horror icons, and an army of screenwriters.
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- Robert Englund: Stay awake with his special Nightmare Blend coffee
Now this isn’t the stuff of nightmares…IT’S A DREAM!
While Freddy vs Jason is about as polarizing as films get, I enjoy the movie more and more as the years go by. With the film being one of the most talked about projects in all of horror before it’s eventual release, it’s going to be exciting to read all about how Freddy vs Jason came to be. Many incarnations were pitched before Mark Swift and Damion Shannon came on board, so this is going to be a real treat for fans.
So, are you buying “Slash of the Titans: The Road To FREDDY vs JASON” when the book is released this February?
Next: ‘Friday the 13th’ Game: How Gun Media Got Film License
Check out the official trailer for “Slash of the Titans” below, courtesy of Harker Press: