Summary
TheFriday the 13thfranchise was on its way to a potential resurgence with a new installment, with some creative powerhouses at its helm. Unfortunately, its initial potential was weighed down by several unforeseeable setbacks and challenges that almost killed it. However, despite nearly reaching the end of the line,Friday the 13thhas risen from the ashes, and its future now seems brighter than ever.
Comprising 12 slasher films, one television series, and several novels, comic books, and video games,Friday the 13this known to be one of the most commercially successful horror franchises of all time. Not all films in the franchise have landed in critics' good books, but only a few horror films enjoy the kind of pop culture impact thatFriday the 13thhas achieved. Over a decade after the release of2009’s often-disrespectedFriday the 13thmovie, the franchise was all set to be revived. Things, however, significantly went off the rails before the franchise’s next installment could find its feet again.
Every Friday The 13th Movie (In Chronological Order)
The chronological order of the Friday the 13th movies starts off simple enough, but it gets more complicated further down the road.
A24’s Friday The 13th Show Is Back On Track
Crystal Lake Finally Has A New Showrunner
Despite showing some early promise, theFriday the 13thprequel show,Crystal Lake, had almost found itself in a grave, on the verge of being buried. Surprisingly, however,Crystal Lakehas somehow returned from the dead with some exciting new updates. According to reports (viaVariety),Brad Caleb Kane is its new showrunner, and he seems incredibly excited about hopping on board. Speaking about getting the opportunity to helm the series, Kane half-jokingly said that his path was “destined to converge with The Man Behind The Mask” ever since he first saw him.
Brad Caleb Kane’s passion for the franchise spells good news forCrystal Lakebecause it promises the show is in safe hands.
He added that his childhood was defined by the golden age of the slasher flick, while the genre was primarily defined byFriday the 13th. Expressing his anticipation for the prequel, he also said that he could not be more excited about “the opportunity to contribute a chapter to this iconic franchise, particularly with such fearless partners as Peacock and A24.” Brad Caleb Kane’s passion for the franchise spells good news forCrystal Lakebecause it promises the show is in safe hands. However, it is still hard to believe the show dodged its imminent doom before acquiring a new showrunner.
Here’s Brad Caleb Kane’s full statement:
From the moment I watched Jason Voorhees squeeze a guy’s eyeball out of its socket (in glorious 3D!) at the tender age of 8 years old, I knew my creative path was someday destined to converge with The Man Behind The Mask. Nothing defined my childhood more than growing up in the golden age of the slasher flick, and nothing’s defined the genre more than ‘Friday The 13th.’ I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity to contribute a chapter to this iconic franchise, particularly with such fearless partners as Peacock and A24.
Why The Friday The 13th Show Almost Didn’t Happen
Bryan Fuller’s Departure Almost Guaranteed Its End
Hannibalshowrunner Bryan Fuller was initially associated with theFriday the 13thshow and was confirmed as its writer and executive producer with Victor Miller. As several reports suggested,Fuller was getting talented filmmakers, like Vincenzo Natali (Cube) and Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don’t Cry), on board for Crystal Lake. One of the episodes from the prequel show was also reportedly written by Kevin Williamson of theScreamfame. Charlize Theron was also in talks to portray Pamela Voorhees before things went downhill for the series.
…Even thoughCrystal Lake’s production was initially heading in the right direction, Bryan Fuller eventually stepped away from the project due to several behind-the-scenes issues.
Vincenzo Natali also revealed (viaTwitter) that the show’s first two episodes' scripts were a “Hannibal-Level reinvention” that would have been “simultaneously beautiful, sad, poetic, funny and horrifying.” Unfortunately, even thoughCrystal Lake’s production was initially heading in the right direction, Bryan Fuller eventually stepped away from the project due to several behind-the-scenes issues. The show’s production was reportedly marred by conflicts between executives and showrunners, leaving it in production hell.
Friday The 13th’s Future Is Promising With The New Showrunner
The Showrunner Is Linked With Another Major Movie Franchise’s Prequel
Bryan Fuller’s version ofCrystal Lakeshowed immense potential and was seemingly on the verge of redefining and reviving theFriday the 13thfranchise. Owing to this, it is unfortunate that Fuller never got to materialize his ideas. However, Brad Caleb Kane’s involvement with the project brings new hope because he has writing credits in several highly acclaimed shows, likeFringe,Black Sails,Lodge 49, andWarrior.
Kane is also the executive producer and co-showrunner forWelcome to Derry, a prequel toIt (2017) andIt Chapter Two (2019). The fact that Brad Kane has landed the opportunity to simultaneously work on two prequel shows of two epic horror franchises suggests he knows what he is doing. Hopefully, his vision for theFriday the 13thseries will be no less ambitious and innovative than Bryan Fuller’s.
Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake explores the origins of the infamous Crystal Lake killer, set against the backdrop of a quiet, lakeside community. The series delves into the dark history and secrets that haunt the fictional town, intertwining past and present narratives. This prequel to the Friday the 13th franchise promises to shed light on the events leading to the horror saga, providing a deeper understanding of the eerie and sinister locale.
