It has been almost seven years since audiences last witnessed iconic serial killer Jason Voorhees don his iconic hockey mask and butcher counselors at Camp Crystal Lake. A reboot for legendary horror franchise Friday the 13th has been in the work for some time, but some new obstacles mean the franchise hasn't found its resurrection just yet.
A new report from The Wrap indicates that the Friday the 13th reboot has lost its director and is currently on the hunt for a new visionary to helm the project. Director David Bruckner had previously been attached to the project, but dropped out after a series of delays prolonged the film’s development. The project has gone through numerous rewrites, and is currently in the process of closing a deal with Aaron Guzikowski (Prisoners) to pen a new draft of the script. Due to the added time it will take to get the new draft completed, the producers of the film decided to let Bruckner walk away and explore other options, but they have firmly expressed their desire to have him come back for a future installment of the newly rebooted Friday the 13th franchise.
Bruckner is perhaps best known for his work on modern cult horror film V/H/S, and it’s a shame that his knack for creating a truly creepy atmosphere will no longer be a factor on this slasher reboot. It’s not all bad, however, Aaron Guzikowski’s work on Prisoners should indicate that the film’s script will nail all the right elements of eerie necessary for a reboot like this, and the new Friday the 13th is being produced by Platinum Dunes – who had a hand in 2003’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre reboot. The reboot of Texas Chainsaw remains one of the strongest horror reboots to come out of Hollywood in recent memory, which will hopefully be the case for Friday the 13th.
However, if you happen to be a fan of the Friday the 13th franchise and need your fix, don’t worry too much because the new film isn’t the only source of Mr. Voorhees coming your way. A new series based upon the film franchise will be coming to The CW, and will take place at the “real” Camp Crystal Lake – in the town that supposedly inspired the original Friday the 13th films that we have come to know and love.
We will keep you posted on details pertaining to the Friday the 13th reboot as they become available, the film is currently slated for a January 13, 2017 release date, but considering all the delays it has undergone thus far, that could likely change soon. One thing is for sure, the series – much like the machete-wielding killer who made it iconic – can never truly stay dead for long.
