You know it was bound to happen, but maybe not in this way. But thanks to the incredible success this weekend with the 2018 reboot-quel “Halloween,” it looks like Jason Voorhees’ “Friday the 13th” series is getting a new reboot, courtesy of someone you wouldn’t normally associate with horror films.
Bloody Disgusting is reporting that LeBron James (yes, NBA star LeBron James) and his Springhill Entertainment production company are in negotiations to produce a reboot of the “Friday the 13th” franchise. Now, as you try to parse that information in your brain, understand that this isn’t James’ first foray in the world of moviemaking. It was recently announced that his long-delayed “Space Jam 2” is currently expected to begin shooting in 2019 and he is most definitely one of the creative minds behind that film, as well.
And as Bloody Disgusting shows, James is no stranger to horror, either. He’s consistently promoted his love of horror films, and back in 2010, he talked about his love of Jason Voorhees, in particular. The real question at this point is what the reboot will look like because of all the slasher franchises, “Friday the 13th” is one that feels as if there’s very little left in the tank, creatively.
After a massively popular first film, “Friday the 13th” would spawn 10 sequels, as well as a 2009 reboot. But unlike “Halloween,” which followed a similar trajectory before this year’s massive film, the Jason Voorhees saga arguably ran out of steam decades ago, as the franchise killed the slasher, resurrected him, sent him to Manhattan, Hell, and even outer space. Then, as a last-ditch effort, Jason was seen crossing over with the “Nightmare on Elm Street” franchise in 2003’s “Freddy vs. Jason.” And then, as a last, last-ditch effort, after “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” was rebooted, Michael Bay did his best to relaunch the “Friday the 13th” series but that didn’t fully resuscitate the slasher for a modern audience.
Perhaps, James has a new take on the character and world, similar to what Danny McBride, Jeff Fradley, and David Gordon Green brought to “Halloween.” Otherwise, this has all the makings of something quite strange and potentially awful.