Brad Caleb Kane, known for his role in developing HBO’s It: Welcome to Derry, has been appointed as the new showrunner for the upcoming Friday the 13th prequel series, Crystal Lake, set to premiere on Peacock. This announcement, made today by Variety, follows the departure of Bryan Fuller, who exited the project earlier this year.
Fuller, known for his work on Hannibal and Pushing Daisies, parted ways with the series after studio A24 decided to take the show in a different direction. In his statement, Fuller expressed pride in his work and the challenges overcome, but acknowledged A24’s shift in vision, wishing the project well.
Kane steps into the role with a wealth of experience in the horror genre, as he will concurrently serve as creator, writer, and executive producer for Crystal Lake. His appointment marks a significant moment for fans of classic horror, promising a fresh take on the iconic Friday the 13th saga.
“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,” Kane remarked. “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.”
Crystal Lake was first unveiled in 2022 with a straight-to-series order from Peacock and A24. While specific details about the plot remain closely guarded, it is anticipated to explore the events following the tragic drowning of young Jason Voorhees. In the 1980 original film, this incident leads his mother, Pamela Voorhees, to exact revenge on the camp counsellors she blames for her son’s death.
This series marks the first major collaboration involving an outside franchise for A24, adding a layer of anticipation about how it will handle the adaptation. Although it is yet to be seen how Kane will steer the narrative of Jason Voorhees and the eerie surroundings of Crystal Lake, the series is expected to delve into the origins and legacy of the notorious antagonist.
As the latest venture into the Friday the 13th legacy, Crystal Lake promises to bring new depth to the longstanding series, which has spanned 12 movies, novels, video games, and a previous television series from 1987 to 1990. Fans and newcomers alike are eager to see how this new adaptation will expand the dark and thrilling universe of Camp Crystal Lake.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
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