By way of free-to-watchFriday the 13thfan films, indie filmmakers are doing their best to keep Jason’s machete warm for him while he awaits his return to the big screen.Never Hike Aloneset the bar for just how good these types of fan films can be, and several similar movies are already in the works. Now joining the fray is the upcoming fan filmJason Risingfrom creators James Sweet, Karl Whinnery, and Robert Blanche. The project is now currently building its budget by way of crowdfunding on Indiegogo, and an impressive sneak peek trailer has been released to give fans an idea of what to expect from the movie.
“Jason Risingfollows Wessex County Sheriff Pete Daltry, along with local bounty hunters Jed and Bear, who are hot on the trail of three escapees from the Wessex County Corrections Farm. They soon realize that they have entered the cursed, hallowed grounds ofCamp Crystal Lake, where the hunters become the hunted and history is never truly dead.”
Many horror franchises have inspired multiple fan films, butFriday the 13thin particular has probably spawned the most. After the success ofNever Hike Alone, it became very apparent fans of the series were dying to see Jason kill again - even if it’s on YouTube rather than the big screen. The upcoming fan filmFriday the 13th: Vengeancewill feature former Jason actor C. J. Graham starring asJason’s father, Elias, as well as the final performance ofFriday the 13th Part 2’s Jason actor Steve Dash. Another fan film, simply calledVoorhees, will be hitting YouTube this fall, squaring Jason off against a group of armed robbers. It might not be the same as seeing an “official” movie on the big screen, but fan films like this do a lot to keep Jason’s spirit alive while fans are forced to wait.
The last time we saw an “official"Friday the 13thmovie was when the Platinum Dunes reboot hit theaters in 2009. We have now gone a full decade without anyJason Voorhees movies, and horror fans are absolutely dying to see a new killing spree at Camp Crystal Lake. The immense success ofFriday the 13th: The Gameproves how popular the franchise still is with fans, and the timing couldn’t be any more perfect to bring Jason back to the big screen. For now, however, unofficial fan films on YouTube seem to be all fans are going to get.
For anyone unfamiliar with why Jason is currently banned from theaters, it’s a matter of legalities concerning the rights. Theoriginal movie’s screenwriter Victor Miller and director Sean S. Cunninghamhave been battling over the rights to the franchise in court, and although a judge ruled in Miller’s favor several months back, Cunningham appealed the decision to keep the lawsuit alive. At this point, no studio will move forward with plans to produce anotherFriday the 13thmovie until the legal battle is completely over, and there’s just no telling when exactly that might be.
The trailer for the short film is pretty impressive, and those looking to get in on the perks offered from theJason Risingcrowdfunding campaign can do so now over onIndiegogo. With a goal of $30,000, the project has raised over $4,000 so far. you’re able to also read more about the movie on its official website www.jasonrising13.com, and check out the sneak peek trailer below, courtesy of Red Crow Film on YouTube.
