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Friday the 13th Remake Casts Jason Voorhees

by Alex Billington
March 30, 2008
Source: Bloody Disgusting

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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Related categories: Casting, Movie News, Opinions

PimpSlapStick

He looks the part 'Fugly'
John

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.
Heckle

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.
http://www.bigpictureradio.com Colin Boyd

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.
craziemutant

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.
harrison

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
bigE

uh...Jason wasn't in Friday the 13th.
http://movieguyreviews4u.blogspot.com Ryan

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.
Zimbo

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.
Sam

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
Victor

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.
Jack Voorhees

I really enjoy Rob Zombies talent for making movie and hoped he would be involved in the re-imagining of one of the best horror franchises (excluding Jason X- total garbage). Oh well. If it was up to me, Kane Hodder would reprise his role as the masked killer, Rob Zombie would be behind the camera, blood and guts that would put "SAW" to shame, and (heres the kicker) a REALLY WELL WRITTEN SCRIPT!!! Mabye too much to ask, but you can dream right. I just hope that whatever they decide to do with the iconic Jason Voorhees, they dont turn him into a pussified version of the old slasher. Jasons a violent, brutal, murdering madman, lets keep it that way.
Yum

Um...The Texas Chainsaw remake was awesome and Amityville was OK. But I didn't like Rob's Halloween. I'm sure this will be an alright movie...we'll have to wait and see though.
Tyler

GOD! why cant they be original anymore. all remakes are the worst and they need to learn to be creative.
Donald Blount

First off it does matter who plays Jason and no it dont need to turn out like Jason Goes to Hell or Jason X. And it cant just be a guy who knows nothing of the movies or horror movies in general. Derek Mears is a perfect choice for the part. But from what i have seen of the costume I dont like it as much as earlier costumes. But it should be a good film. Jason is my favorite horror icon and does not need to be used like he was in Jason X or Jason Goes to Hell. I hope for the best and with Marcus Nispel directing and Derek Mears playing the part as Jason I think it will work well.
Hammer

The beauty of a remake is that it takes us back to that place we loved so much before. Like reuniting with an old friend. The franchise has always been just good fun slasher flicks. I do question the depth required to play Jason but it should be fun watching arrogant adolescents getting skewered anyway you slice it. As far as "it's not a remake because Jason wasn't in the first one" objection that's stupid. A remake is another directors take on a classic. It isn't supposed to be the exact same movie. Zombie's Halloween is a good example (Like it by the way). Same beloved characters and scenarios but with different twists. The old friend has different stories when you reuinte.
BULLITT

I have to agree with Hammer. I grew up watching Jason and The Friday the 13th series is one of my all time favorites.....except of course for the filth they called Jason X and Jason goes to Hell. As far as the remake goes it's actually a re-write of the first 3 combined, who cares if Jason was in the first one. Who would go see a remake without Jason in it? No one would. So they combined the first three to give Jason the most screen time possible which is what people want to see. Not an old lady killing teens. I think this remake will be a fresh twist in this series that has gone to shit with bad sequels.......I mean Jason X...give me a fuckin break. That was a ridiculous movie and people are going to complain about a remake and not the fact that Jason went to OUTER FUCKIN SPACE!!!!!
http://firstshowing.net LilGothicAngel

I think that they should just have made another friday the 13th not redid the original. the original was not jason it was mrs. voohees, and like they said jason didn't really start killing until the 3rd installment. i wonder if they are going to follow the storyline of sex at camp and counselors being killed as usual while they are doing it? should we count on the pot being included? im a big jason fan but i think i may be disappointed by this one.
erika

okay I know this was said awhile ago but John Jason does not have a sword it is a machete. I can't wait to see this movie I love Friday the 13th and love Jason Vorhees.
erika

sorry for the misspelling Jason Voorhees
Sia

If all it takes to play Jason Voorhees is getting a costume and swinging a sword, then I guess Danny DeVito would make an acceptable Jason, right? C'mon-use your brains. They need a guy with muscle.
Sororoac

Loved the movie AND the new Jason! It seems in remakes whoever is taking on such an iconic role such as freddy, pinhead etc..never seem to top the performance of the original character..Jared Padalecki did!! Bravo!