Brad Fuller confirms Jason will return in new Friday the 13th

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

We've known for a while that a new FRIDAY THE 13th film would be coming our way with Paramount penciling in a November 13, 2015 release date, but what we don't know is the direction the next film will take. We've heard rumors ranging from a 3D film to a found footage angle, but haven't had confirmation on either of those from the producers or studio. Most recently we learned that THE SIGNAL and V/H/S helmer David Bruckner has been eyed to helm the next FRIDAY THE 13th film, but haven't heard much else since then. With so many rumors flying around on the project there was one particular statement that got fans of the series all riled up, and now Platinum Dunes' Brad Fuller has laid that rumor to rest.

Back in January Fuller was apparently misquoted regarding whether or not Jason Voorhees would return to the FRIDAY THE 13th franchise. In an interview with Crave Fuller was asked if Derek Mears was going to be back for the next film, and the producer replied…

"I don't know because I don't know if we're going to have Jason. I don't know which Jason we're going to have. I can tell you this: I love Derek Mears; I love working with him, and he's a dream so we'd be lucky to have him."

The idea of a Jason-less FRIDAY THE 13th film got many fans of the franchise worked up. But Fuller says that Jason will indeed return and that he was misquoted in stating otherwise. In an interview with Movieweb Fuller clarified…

"It was a misquote. I had just said 'I don't know who would play Jason Voorhees. Because I don't know what age he would be, or how we would use him. Are we clear about that? That was the original context of the question. 'Is Derek Mears going to be playing Jason?' I said , 'I don't know who the character is going to be, or at what point in his life we are going to be engaging in him with.' Somehow that became, 'He's not going to be in the movie.' But of course he's going to be in the movie!"

So there it is. Jason will return for the next FRIDAY THE 13th film. Regardless of which direction the next film goes (and let's hope it's not found footage!), at least we'll have Jason back in action.