Get ready to return to Camp Crystal Lake, the ghoulish setting for the majority of the ‘Friday The 13th‘ slasher movies which practically defined the horror genre in the 80s as a new TV series based on the film is being developed. There have been no fewer than a dozen movies in the franchise and during the late 80s, another TV show employed the name and even had some of the movies’ producers involved, but the show had no real ties to the movies as neither Jason Voorhees nor any other characters from the movies appeared and the setting was that of an urban curio shop where two cousins struggled to acquire and store mystical artifacts.

The new series appears to be more closely following the premise of the classic films, though.  According to Sam S. Cunningham, the director of the first ‘Friday the 13th’ movie who will serve as an executive producer on the show:

“Jason Voorhees is synonymous with the genre and we plan to build on this legacy with a provocative and compelling take that expands upon the storylines that have already thrilled millions worldwide.”

Robert Barsamian, the president of Horror Inc., which produced the movies and who will also be producing the show, added:

“Expect the show to take viewers in some exciting new directions that we’re confident will not only excite existing fans of ‘Friday The 13th’ but also attract new audiences to the situations and characters that inhabit the small town of Crystal Lake.”

Joining Cunningham and Barsamian will be EFO Films principals Randall Emmett & George Furla, Mark Canton of Atmosphere Entertainment MM, Steve B. Harris of Diversion3 Entertainment, and Ted Fox of Fox Entertainment.  handling the scripting chores will be Bill Basso and Jordu Schell.

Here is a description of the show:

“If you recall, the original was set at a summer camp, closed because of the drowning of an unattended child. Promiscuous counselors tried to re-open the place, but they began dying. Jason actually took root as the indestructible villain in the second film, with his signature hockey goalie mask coming later. The series is contemporary, focusing on the eclectic characters of Crystal Lake who are forced to confront the return of the killer, as new secrets about his wacky family are revealed.”

No network is listed as being attached, which could ultimately impact just how the finished show turns out.  If the adaptation winds up on network TV, basic cable or syndication, expect a much more subtle and toned down spin on the slasher genre.  But if it ends up on premium cable, we could be in store for a much gorier affair along the lines of ‘The Walking Dead‘.  As long as there are plenty of drunk, horny teens, acting stupid and getting flayed because of that, I can’t see where this could go wrong.

Are you interested in seeing a new take on ‘Friday the 13th’ on the small screen?

Source: Deadline