While the Jason Universe has announced everything from a new Jason Voorhees mask to an attraction at Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights, fans have been clamoring for one main thing, a new Friday the 13th movie. Well, Jason fans were offered a glimmer of hope at this past weekend's San Diego Comic-Con, where it was revealed that a new Friday the 13th game and film are in early development. The Jason Universe panel also debuted a trailer for the forthcoming "vignette" Sweet Revenge, which features an adult Jason Voorhees hacking and slashing. At long last, everyone's favorite hockey masked mama's boy may be staging a comeback!
It's been 16 long years since Jason last graced the big screen in the 2009 Friday the 13th reboot. Meanwhile, slasher heavyweight franchises like Child's Play, Scream, and Halloween have all seen reboots and even TV shows. The Comic-Con Jason Universe panel included Horror Inc. Vice President Robbie Barsamian and CMO Sheri Conn. Mondo Senior Creative Director Peter Santa-Maria moderated.
Barsamian acknowledged fans' frustration about the state of the franchise and a lack of a movie. He did give a reason to feel optimistic, however, stating, "I can tell you that a new sequel movie and new sequel game are at the top of our list. It's where most of our energy is going right now. And I can tell you finally we're in a position to deliver on that."
The panel didn't announce who may be involved with any future film, including which studio, director, or writer. Paramount released the initial string of Friday the 13th movies, before the franchise shifted to New Line Cinema. It's also unclear which film a new movie would be a sequel to, or perhaps simply the entire franchise. Still, after years of no news, any sliver of an announcement like this is reason to celebrate.
In the much shorter term, Jason will return for the "vignette" Sweet Revenge, directed by Mike P. Nelson (Wrong Turn, Silent Night, Deadly Night reboot). The vignette will debut on the Jason Universe YouTube channel and Angry Orchard's website on August 13. Angry Orchard is sponsoring the vignette, and the Jason Universe is making it the centerpiece of its 45-year anniversary celebration of the first movie.
Hopefully, Sweet Revenge will be more than just a glorified commercial for hard cider. Still, the trailer looks promising. It features teens at Camp Crystal Lake, Jason jumping out of the water, and the infamous slasher wielding his machete as he stalks teens. At the very least, we're finally getting something. Additionally, Spirit Halloween will sell the new Jason Universe mask, designed by horror special effects icon Greg Nicotero.
in other franchise news, Peacock's Friday the 13th prequel series, Crystal Lake, is chugging along. The series will primarily follow Pamela Voorhees, played by Linda Cardellini. There's no word yet whether or not the series will jump forward and feature adult Jason, but Callum Vinson was just cast as young Jason. The series is being produced by A24. No official release date has been announced yet.