Earlier today we shared the news that the next FRIDAY THE 13TH film, which might be titled FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 13, is looking to fill the role of a young Jason Voorhees in an origin story section of the film. Now another casting call has confirmed that this look into Jason's childhood will introduce a character who has never been featured in any of the FRIDAY THE 13TH films. Jason's father, Elias Voorhees.
Mr. Voorhees' absence from the franchise has caused fans to do a lot of speculating about what this guy might be like. According to the casting call, the Elias that director Breck Eisner, screenwriter Aaron Guzikowski, and the producers at Platinum Dunes will be bringing us is a "powerful-looking" man his late 30s – 50s, a park ranger who works in the vicinity of Camp Crystal Lake. Disturbed by "the wickedness in Jason and the effects it has on (Jason's mother) Pamela", Elias will eventually leave his family and take a park ranger job somewhere else nearby.
Since the story will at some point move ahead to a time when adult Jason is killing camp counselors, I would assume that characters will be seeking out Elias to arrange a reunion. But that's just more fan speculation.
Tom McLoughlin, writer/director of JASON LIVES: FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VI, had originally planned to introduce Jason's father at the end of that film, but the idea was scrapped. JASON GOES TO HELL: THE FINAL FRIDAY is the entry that provided us with the name Elias.
The young Jason has previously been presented as being a sweet, innocent child before his accidental drowning. He was a sympathetic figure, the franchise has been rooted in tragedy. By showing us a young Jason that is wicked, FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 13 (if that is the official title) is going to be contradicting the perception a lot of fans have of the child Jason and his relationship with his mother.
The filmmakers' choice to do a "unique retelling of the origin story" is a risky one, as they could easily upset fans with their portrayal of the Voorhees family.
This FRIDAY THE 13TH will be filming in the Conyers, Georgia area from March 19th through May 4th. Paramount Pictures has scheduled the film for an October 13, 2017 release.
Storyboard for the unfilmed JASON LIVES ending that would have featured Mr. Voorhees