The next Friday the 13th might start filming in March

Last Updated on July 21, 2021

It's been a few months since we've heard any updates on the status of the next FRIDAY THE 13TH film, which is quite troubling because the long-delayed thirteenth entry in the franchise is supposed to be released on October 13th, 2017, and there is some worry that if it doesn't make that date it might never come out at all. Not only did Warner Bros. hand the FRIDAY THE 13TH rights back over to Paramount for a five year period that will expire in 2018, but original FRIDAY THE 13TH producer/director Sean S. Cunninham and screenwriter Victor Miller are also expected to go to battle over the rights in court next year. This production truly seems to be backed into a corner and it needs to get moving.

We heard in October that FRIDAY THE 13TH was expected to start casting in December, with filming set to commence in the Atlanta, Georgia area in the spring. December came and went with no casting news. Friday, January 13th came and went with no news. Things weren't looking promising, so the folks over at Friday the 13th Franchise decided to do some digging, try to find out some information, and hopefully ease some minds.

What they have found out does have me feeling better about the film's chances of making its October release date. According to the site, FRIDAY THE 13TH is officially in pre-production in Conyers, Georgia as we speak. They weren't able to confirm specific dates, but did find out that filming is scheduled to take place in Conyers starting in March and wrapping up in May.

I'd be excited for a new FRIDAY THE 13TH regardless of where it's filmed, but I'm glad this movie has ended up in the Atlanta area. Conyers is 24 miles from Atlanta and just 12 miles from Covington, where JASON LIVES: FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VI was filmed. I've always loved the look of the JASON LIVES locations and am excited to see Jason Voorhees stalk that area again 31 years later.

I would be especially happy if the production were to use Covington for the town of Crystal Lake again, including a shot of the clocktower that is quickly featured in JASON LIVES.