Friday the 13th’s first Jason Ari Lehman joins Camp Killer

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Jason Voorhees isn't in the original FRIDAY THE 13TH for very long, but the screen time he does have leaves an indelible impression. First there are flashback glimpses of a hydrocephalic child drowning in a lake, calling for help. Then the character shows up to participate in one of the most famous jump scares in horror history.

Underneath the Tom Savini-created makeup for those moments was a fourteen-year-old named Ari Lehman. Lehman dropped out of public view for a long time after FRIDAY THE 13TH, but he has returned with a vengeance in recent years, doing the convention circuit, performing with his band First Jason, and taking movie roles.

Lehman's latest acting gig appears to be a very appropriate one: he has joined the cast of CAMP KILLER, the '80s slasher homage from the team behind CHAINSAW SALLY. Since the project is described as "FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VI meets MY DINNER WITH ANDRE", it seems fitting that a FRIDAY THE 13TH alumni be involved.

The story:

JimmyO Burril is the sheriff of the town plagued by an unstoppable killer (J Clinton Watkins).  As they meet up one last time, a pair of survivors (one played by April Monique Burril) complicate matters for the worse.  Who will be left standing and what will remain of their sanity? 

Lehman is set to play the integral part of Joe, the owner of the bar where the characters have their meeting.

CAMP KILLER definitely has my attention, and the more FRIDAY THE 13TH ties and references it has, the more interesting it becomes to me. The set-up is unique for a slasher, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how the situation plays out.