If the title of the movie – and indeed the date it’s set on – is supposed to act as a harbinger of bad luck, then Paramount has been subject to a hiccup or three when working to reboot Friday the 13th.
Only last month, the studio opted to delay the long-in-development horror comeback, switching gears to ensure that it wouldn’t release until early 2017. Such stalls in production are by no means exclusive to Friday the 13th, with fellow reboot-cum-sequel Rings postponed as well, meaning F. Javier Gutiérrez’s follow-up won’t claw its way out of the television set and into theaters until April 1, 2016.
In terms of the former, The Wrap brings word that director David Bruckner is no longer attached to the modern retelling, as Paramount and Platinum Dunes refocus work on the core script. Speaking of which, there is a silver lining to news of Brucker’s departure, after the outlet noted that Prisoners and Contraband scribe Aaron Guzikowski has been brought in to resurrect the dormant horror icon, which is news that will hopefully set the wheels in motion for the studio’s beleaguered project.
Opening negotiations to assume writing duties, Guzikowski is also involved in Universal’s planned monsters universe, and joining Friday the 13th will be an interesting next step for the writer should the deal be inked.
Camp Crystal Lake is currently undergoing construction, as Paramount irons out the kinks before reintroducing Friday the 13th in earnest. Should everything fall into place and a new director be found, Jason Voorhees will be stalking our nightmares once again come January 13, 2017
