The folks over at Platinum Dunes are mulling what to do with their next FRIDAY THE 13th movie, and poobah Brad Fuller has revealed that The Powers That Be are considering finally tackling an element of Jason Voorhees which has yet to be fully explored: why does Jason keep coming back? I mean the character, not the franchise.
"There's always been this supernatural aspect to these movies. It defies logic that, you see Jason get killed in every movie, including ours, the 2009 one. And then he comes back and no one's ever really investigated what that is. So that's something that I think about a little bit. Like it is supernatural, but what is he? Those are the things that we're toying with. Nothing has been decided. But those type of things: How does he always come back?”
…mulls Fuller in THIS interview with Esquire.
Upon first consideration, I kinda think that Jason’s admittedly gonzo restorative abilities have become an accepted part of the franchise’s shtick and it’s almost become ‘fun’ to overlook such a blatantly irrational lack of clarity and continuity. On the other hand, after it has happened over and over again - for no apparent reason - the endless resurrections become less of a convenient gag, and more of a significant plothole. So Fuller’s point is taken…
Personally? I’d love to see ‘em go bigger. Somehow, the iconography and tenor of Voorhees has always felt a tad over the top, so perhaps his place in the scheme of things should too? I.e. maybe it’s not just enough to have him be cursed to eternal life by bitchy witches, or somesuch. Maybe something more metaphysical could be at play here - something which would make the character not only more iconic than he already is, but symbolic as well?
I don’t know if I’m even making any sense here - I should probably get some more coffee now.
Also in Esquire's piece, Fuller teases that…whatever they end up doing with the next picture…some comfortably familiar elements will remain snugly intact:
Fuller insists Friday the 13th will not follow the found-footage trend
[EDIT]
It will involve Jason Voorhees. It will involve kids having sex and smoking weed. They will be at camp.
David Bruckner (THE SIGNAL, the Amateur Night segment of V.H.S) will direct the new FRIDAY the 13th, which…as far as we know…is targeting a release next year.
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Glen Oliver
“Merrick”
