Update May 8, 2024:
While it seems as through A24 is proceeding with Crystal Lake, it’s doing so without Bryan Fuller. Fuller confirmed his departure on social media. He shared on X, “For reasons beyond our control, A24 has elected to go a different way with the material. We hope the final product will be something Friday the 13th fans all over the world will enjoy.”
Original post:
It sounds like, we’re heading back to camp… Camp Crystal Lake, that is. Or, even if camp isn’t in session, although camp is often in session with Bryan Fuller, we’ll find ourselves soon splashing into the waters of Crystal Lake in some fashion. Peacock has officially ordered a direct-to-series expanded Friday the 13th prequel show titled Crystal Lake. This Friday the 13th show will be helmed by showrunner and writer Bryan Fuller. In a twist, A24 will act as the studio for the series.
There is a lot to unpack here. But we actually don’t know too much about the Friday the 13th series yet. Though, if you know Bryan Fuller, you might suspect it might have a good deal to do with the life and times of Pamela Voorhees.
Fuller shares more about Crystal Lake, “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 campgrounds of Crystal Lake under their banner. And Susan Rovner is simply the best at what she does. It’s a pleasure and an honor to be working with her again.”
Meanwhile, Susan Rovner, Chairman, Entertainment Content, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, notes about the series, “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.”
Gifted and visionary are certainly words we’d use to describe anything Bryan Fuller touches. So we feel extra excited to entrust this beloved horror franchise into his capable and bloody hands and mind. Happily, Bryan Fuller will have access to anything and everything to do with Friday the 13th for this streaming show. Fuller notes to Fangoria, “I think over the course of the series, you will see many familiar manifestations of Jason!” and calls the series “pre-remake-uel.” He promises that if the show makes it ten seasons, he will take us to space.
Recently, Fuller also shared that Kevin Williamson would write an episode of the show. Additionally, Friday the 13‘s Final Girl Adrienne King will recur in the series, although it’s not clear what role she will play. Fuller also added, “We’re honestly going to be covering it all. The series is covering the life and times of these two characters.” We assume that means Pamela and Jason.
And so, we feel certain this show will feel and hit exactly the right murderous notes. And we’ll probably only side with any “villains” by the time the Friday the 13th prequel series ends. Just ask Hannibal Lecter if he agrees.
Originally published on January 18, 2023.
