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Friday the 13th Remake Casts Jason Voorhees
March 30, 2008
Source: Bloody Disgusting
by Alex Billington
After announcing last Friday that Jared Padalecki had been cast in the upcoming Friday the 13th remake, we've received more news today on who will play Jason Voorhees, the series' legendary villain. Derek Mears, who has had funky special effects roles in everything from The Hills Have Eyes 2 to D-War to Zathura to Men in Black II, has been confirmed (via Bloody Disgusting) as Jason in the remake. It sounds like this film is starting to come together in high fashion - do we finally have a good revival of a classic horror character in the works?
Padalecki will play a yet unnamed "teen" in the film, who we can assume is the lead in some way, while Mears will now handle the re-envisioning of the hockey-mask-wearing Jason Voorhees. This announcement reminds me of when Tyler Mane was cast as Michael Myers in Rob Zombie's Halloween remake last year. They're both somewhat lesser known actors, but are taking on roles that require their performance to be fine tuned due to an extensive franchise history. I expect Mears is a good fit for the job, given his experience in numerous special effects roles previously.
While Kevin's article focused on Padalecki and his abilities, I'm going to focus on this remake in general. Jason is a classic horror villain that I'm worried could easily be turned into something ridiculously cheesy. Look at Platinum Dunes', Michael Bay's production company that is behind this remake, previous track record: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (both remakes), The Amityville Horror, and The Hitcher. That's not a good sign considering I know there are quite a few people who are hoping that this turns out good. And does Mears involvement really mean too much?
This new Friday the 13th is being directed by Marcus Nispel, of the 2003 Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake and last year's flop Pathfinder. The film is currently scheduled to hit theaters on February 13th, 2009. Is this remake starting to look any better or is it yet another guaranteed pile of crap?
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Reader Feedback - 11 Comments »
1
He looks the part 'Fugly'
PimpSlapStick on Mar 30, 2008
2
I'm curious how much it matters who plays Jason, unless they're drastically changing the character.
There's not really a performance involved. Get in costume, swing sword.
John on Mar 30, 2008
3
I think it will come down to the rating. If they go and do this all PG13 it will likely suck.
Give it an R. Its a damn horror movie.
BTW….i thought Texas Chainsaw remake was good.
Amityville was decent as well.
Heckle on Mar 30, 2008
4
Awful. Just another cheap Michael Bay horror movie knockoff. It's not even really a remake, unless Derek Mears is going to play Mrs. Voorhees; after all, she did all the killing in the first movie.
I wonder if this remake will even outgross the original at the box office? It's gotta make $40 million and these new spins on old horror haven't traditionally been that effective.
Colin Boyd on Mar 31, 2008
5
i like how you made it sound so simple, John. haha.
Guide to portraying horror villain
Step 1. get costume
Step 2. swing sword
haha.
craziemutant on Mar 31, 2008
6
yea they really only need a stuntman in costume to play the part, i havnt watched the movie in atleast 8-10 years but i dont remember him having any lines
harrison on Mar 31, 2008
7
uh…Jason wasn't in Friday the 13th.
bigE on Mar 31, 2008
8
Yeah, it isnt that important of a part. Just as long as he is tall and big.
I am happy Padalecki is in it though.
Ryan on Mar 31, 2008
9
bigE is right. Jason wasn't even in the first movie, and he didn't wear the hockey mask until the third installment.
The worry that the classic character "could easily be turned into something ridiculously cheesy" is silly because Jason started out as something ridiculously cheesy. People forget that Jason as we think of him was invented for the third movie which had already crossed the boundary into total stupidity, complete with 3-D goggles handed out in the theaters.
When was the last time that any of these 80's horror franchises produced a decent movie? Ten years? More? Personally, I'm ready to move on to some new and more interesting horror. Have you seen the trailer for The Strangers? Now that looks certifiably creepy.
Zimbo on Apr 6, 2008
10
Zimbo ur wrong big time Halloween by Rob Zombie was awesome and I thought Kane from See No Evil should have been cast as Jason
Sam on May 7, 2008
11
If your going to do another Friday the 13th film
at least cast someone who already knows how to play Jason
use Kane Hodder (Friday the 13th 7-8, Jason Goes to Hell, and Jason X) or Ken Kirzinger (Freddy vs. Jason), even C.J. Graham (Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives) was good. C.J. even said in a interview he would reprise the role of Jason in another film if asked.
Victor on May 10, 2008