Jason Voorhees Returns: Steve Miner To Direct 13th Entry Of ‘Friday The 13th,’ First Film In Franchise In Nearly Two Decades

Lake dwellers, beware! Jason Vorhees, the machete-wielding masked murderer is back — set to return for the first theatrical feature in the iconic horror franchise Friday the 13th in nearly two decades.

via: Bloody Disgusting

For the first time in nearly 20 years, Jason Voorhees is headed back to the big screen in his historic 13th feature film, with Friday the 13th Part II and Friday the 13th Part III director Steve Miner (Lake Placid, Halloween H20) directing the iconic slasher’s big screen comeback!

Horror, Inc., under the leadership of the Barsamian family, has announced the new feature film slated for global theatrical release in 2027, with Bloody Disgusting’s parent company Cineverse securing the upcoming movie’s North America distribution rights, including theatrical.

Steve Miner first put the machete in Jason’s hands in Friday the 13th Part II and soon thereafter introduced the legendary hockey mask in Friday the 13th Part III, making him the perfect filmmaker to introduce Jason Voorhees to a whole new generation of horror fans.

Returning to the franchise’s independent roots, the upcoming Jason Voorhees feature film is financed and produced by the Barsamians. CatchLight Studios is the production partner.

The film promises to deliver the practical kills and terror longtime Friday the 13th fans crave.

“For generations of fans, Jason’s identity is inseparable from the creative choices Steve Miner brought to the screen,” said Robbie Barsamian, Executive Vice President of Horror, Inc. “Reuniting with Steve under a fully independent model allows us the creative control to honor what makes Jason the greatest slasher of all time and deliver the definitive theatrical event that today’s audiences expect.”

“When I put the hockey mask on Jason for Friday the 13th Part III, I knew it would create a truly scary image that would work for that movie,” said Miner. “I had no idea that it would live on as one of the most iconic symbols in horror films. I’m thrilled to come back and continue the legacy.”

“Jason is one of the most recognizable figures in cinema history,” said Chris McGurk, Chairman and CEO of Cineverse. “We have a proven track record of empowering uncompromising genre filmmaking and connecting it directly with passionate audiences, and are honored to be a part of bringing Jason back to theaters where he belongs.”

“Bringing an icon like Jason back to the screen requires dedication to craft and a deep respect for the fandom,” said Jeanette Volturno, Co-Founder of Catchlight Studios. “We’re excited to collaborate with Steve and Robbie to create a practically-shot film that is relentless, cinematic and terrifying.”

David Fliegel wrote the screenplay for next year’s Jason Universe movie.

For more than 45 years, the billion-dollar Friday the 13th franchise has remained a defining force in global pop culture and genre filmmaking, known for its classic scares, iconic kills, and multi-generational fan base that sets the standard for horror. The 13th film anchors the expanding Jason Universe that includes television (Crystal Lake), AAA gaming integrations (Call of Duty, Fortnite, Dead by Daylight, Friday the 13th: The Game), immersive experiences (Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights, Six Flags, Thirteenth Floor), and a robust merchandise portfolio.

Stay tuned for much more on Jason’s big screen return in the coming months.