The rumors first surfaced when Adam Green met with some people on the weekend of August 27 to discuss an upcoming film that they wanted him to direct. They told him it was based off a popular slasher series. He turned it down for that exact reason. Here are a few quotes of what Green had to say about the film.
“The found footage thing is dead … It’s not going to work, trying to fool people into thinking it was a real tape … When [The
Blair Witch Project] first came out I loved it, I thought it was the most innovative thing, even Paranormal Activity … I really
liked the movie when I saw it. I never believed it was real but I liked the movie, I liked the experience…
Now they’re taking, and I can’t say the name of it, but a very well-known slasher franchise, and when I got the call I was
like, “I would love to do this!”
Then they were like, “OK, it’s going to be a found footage movie.”
I was like, “Why?”
And they were like, “Because Paranormal Activity made a lot of money.”
Green never indicated if this film was a reboot or remake. He never indicated that it was a Friday the 13th film that they were talking about. I know that Platinum Dunes still wants to make a sequel to their 2009 movie if they get the green light. When the Friday the 13th website asked Platinum Dunes on their progress with the sequel, Brad Fuller replied... “There’s no other place I’d rather be than Crystal Lake right now.” To this day, there is still no movement about an upcoming sequel with them. I take this rumor seriously. Seventy five percent of myself tells me that more than likely these were talks for Friday the 13th.
On September 8th, 2011, it was confirmed on the Friday the 13th website that the found footage flick was discussed for the film. The report never mentioned Adam Green's name. The website spoke with friends who run STYD (shock til you drop) who investigated the matter. They did confirm the rumor was legit. Friday the 13th was the center of developmental talks for this type of film. Awhile back, we were told that Damian Shannon and Mark Swift had a script for the sequel. It was for Platinum Dunes' version, not the found footage.
The next Friday the 13th will either be Part 2 or Part 13. As of right now this is a sore subject so I won't expect neither.
Other than Platinum Dunes, there are a few other people who expressed interest in making another Friday Film such as Adam Green (up until August 27th), Paramount, New Line, and Sean Cunningham. Until they align and the studios give them the ok, we won't be expecting a sequel anytime soon.
If this thing were to get the green light would it be a reboot or remake? I am hoping for a sequel myself, but Warner Brothers doesn't seem enthused about making a sequel to Platinum Dune's film. I wouldn't be surprised if it's a reboot on top of a reboot as long as Paramount is willing to cooperate. Marvel did this with the 2006 and 2008 Incredible Hulk movies and it was very successful. Paramount is taking a gamble if they follow the same footsteps. I just pray to God it isn't a remake.
I could see why they want to do the found footage thing because it started to get popular with the horror community because of the results that the Paranormal activity films produced at the box office. However, we have to keep in mind that Apollo 18 was the same way and didn't do so well. So We will have to wait in October for the release of PA 3 to see if found footage has the potential to stand on two legs.
If they decide to go with the found footage either they will use the zombie Jason or they will use the 2009 Jason. They need to pick one and only one and stick with it for other future series. It could get very confusing jumping back and forth like that. This film would have to be extremely, hard core reality to get the Friday fan's entertained. They could definitely go with a deserted backwoods and an abandon campground. It could definitely be a CSI type style thing. This scenario could turn into a very scary situation with the technology they have today. If pulled off correctly, it can be very eery. However, this is a rare event that has been translated to a good film.
It is a shame that Director Adam Green turned it down. He is a big fan favorite of the Friday films. As a matter of fact, he has based his Hatchet films off the movie. Before the meeting went down, he has mention he would direct a Friday movie if giving the opportunity. Right now, He has Kane Hodder playing Victor Crowley in the Hatchet films. If he would of done Friday than he could of seen Kane Hodder Don the hockey Mask once again. If you aren't familiar with Kane Hodder, he has don the hockey mask as Jason Voorhees more times than any other actor. I'm not mad at Adam Green because he has good reasoning.
I don't think it is a good idea to make Friday the 13th as a found footage film because Jason Voorhees is fictitious. If you are using fake characters to make a documentary film then it isn't going to work. That is like trying to make a documentary on the Easter Bunny, no one will ever watch it. At this point, I am getting desperate because I really want to watch another Friday film. They can put almost anything on a Friday film and I will watch it. As long as our Iconic Jason stars in it than it's entertainment for me. It can be a CGI film with CGI characters like Resident Evil Degeneration. I'll watch it. I guess until something gets approved, I will take this with a grain of salt.