UP TO DATE: Peacock has given a straight-to-series order to a “Friday the 13th” prequel currently titled “Crystal Lake.” Variety have learned.
Exact plot details are being kept under wraps, though it’s described as an “extended prequel.” The show is being written by Bryan Fuller, who is also the showrunner and executive producer. Victor Miller, who wrote the original film in the franchise, will also produce alongside Marc Toberoff, Rob Barsamian and A24. A24 will also act as the studio behind the series.
“‘Friday the 13th.’ is one of the most iconic horror franchises in film history, and we were very excited to revisit this story with our upcoming drama series ‘Crystal Lake,'” said Susan Rovner, president of entertainment content for NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “We can’t wait to start working with Bryan Fuller, a gifted, visionary creator who I’ve had the pleasure of being a longtime friend and collaborator, along with our incredible partners at A24, on this updated version for Peacock that will delight longtime fans of the franchise.”
Miller and Toberoff, his lawyer, were previously involved in a lengthy lawsuit in an attempt to obtain the rights to the original film’s script for Miller. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Miller’s favor in 2021, giving him the US rights to the script. Miller and Toberoff also have non-exclusive foreign rights, and by bringing in Barsamian, the project has access to all the other elements from the films.
Fuller is known for creating or co-creating shows such as “Hannibal” on NBC, “Pushing Daisies” on ABC, “Dead Like Me” on Showtime, “American Gods” on Starz and “Star Trek: Discovery” on Paramount+. He is also known for his work on “Star Trek: Voyager” as well as “Heroes”.
He is repped by WME, Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Ziffren Brittenham.
“I discovered ‘Friday the 13th.’ in the pages of Famous Monsters magazine when I was 10 years old, and I’ve been thinking about this story ever since,” Fuller said. “When it comes to horror, A24 raises the bar and pushes the envelope, and I’m excited to explore the Crystal Lake campground under their banner. And Susan Rovner is simply the best at what she does. It’s a pleasure and an honor to work with her again.”
The original “Friday the 13th” was released in 1980. In that movie, Jason is a child who drowns at Camp Crystal Lake. His death prompts his mother Pamela to seek revenge against the counselors she blamed for her son’s death. It grossed nearly $60 million against a reported budget of $550,000.
Since then, there have been eleven additional films in the franchise, including “Jason X”, “Freddy vs. Jason” and the reboot in 2009. Jason became the main antagonist beginning with the second film.
Note: An earlier version of this story stated that “Crystal Lake” would not be able to use elements from any “Friday the 13th” movies except the first film. The story has been changed to reflect that it actually can.
