Friday The 13th prequel series Crystal Lake goes into development

A Friday The 13th prequel series – Crystal Lake – is in development, 13 years after chainsaw-wielding serial killer Jason Voorhees last appeared on screen.

The scary new series, described as an ‘expanded prequel’ to the iconic 1980 film, has been ordered by Peacock, with American Gods and Hannibal writer Bryan Fuller set to write, executive produce and act as showrunner.

The first Friday The 13th film saw Jason’s mother Mrs. Voorhees seek bloody revenge for her young son’s supposed drowning, which she blames on the irresponsible camp Crystal Lake counselors.   

He’s back! A Friday The 13th prequel series – Crystal Lake – is in development, 13 years after chainsaw-wielding serial killer Jason Voorhees last appeared on screen

The prequel series comes one year after screenwriter Victor Miller and his attorney Marc Toberoff won the US rights to the original film’s screenplay, following a protracted battle.

While this has sparked the prequel, this means they cannot use any parts of the franchise outside of the original film, meaning viewers will not see Jason don his infamous hockey mask – which was only introduced in 1982’s Friday the 13th: Part III.

Miller will act as executive producer alongside Toberoff, studio A24 and Rob Barsamian – the latter of which worked as part of Horror Inc, the producers of the original film.

Barsamian’s Horror Inc had battled Miller in court, arguing that his screenplay for work for hire – but his involvement in the new series may  signal that the groups have reached a resolution about the screenplay.

Casey Becker got it wrong! The first Friday The 13th film saw Jason’s mother Mrs. Voorhees seek bloody revenge for her young son’s supposed drowning, which she blames on the irresponsible camp Crystal Lake counselors

Wow: The first in the 12 film franchise premiered in 1980 and was a box office hit, grossing $59.8 million worldwide

The first in the 12 film franchise premiered in 1980 and was a box office hit, grossing $59.8 million worldwide. 

Jason is now one of the most recognizable characters in horror, with the killer becoming the main Friday The 13th antagonist starting from the second film released in 1981.

The iconic villain has appeared in films such as  1993’s Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday,  2002’s Jason X, 2003’s Freddy vs. Jason and the Friday The 13th reboot, released in 2009. 

Bryan said in a statement: ‘I discovered Friday the 13th in the pages of Famous Monsters magazine when I was 10 years old and I have been thinking about this story ever since. When it comes to horror, A24 raises the bar and pushes the envelope and I’m thrilled to be exploring the camp grounds of Crystal Lake under their banner. 

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Iconic: Viewers will not see Jason don his infamous hockey mask – which was only introduced in 1982’s Friday the 13th: Part III

Susan Rovner, chairman of entertainment content for NBCUniversal Television and Streaming said: ’Friday the 13th’ is one of the most iconic horror franchises in movie history and we were dying to revisit this story with our upcoming drama series ‘Crystal Lake.

‘We can’t wait to get to work with Bryan Fuller, a gifted, visionary creator who I’ve had the pleasure of being a longtime friend and collaborator, along with our incredible partners at A24, in this updated version for Peacock that will thrill long-standing fans of the franchise.’ 

Crystal Lake follows  Friday the 13th: The Series which aired for three seasons between 1987 and 1990.

Second outing: Jason wore a sack over his head in Friday The 13th Part 2 (1981)