‘Friday the 13th’ creator teases new Jason movie as ‘Crystal Lake’ prequel series heads to Peacock
Jason Voorhees could soon be back in action. That’s because a fresh installment in the long-running ‘Friday the 13th’ film series might finally be gaining momentum after years of frustrating roadblocks that kept the franchise frozen in place. For a long time the issue wasn’t interest. Fans have never stopped asking for another movie. The problem was ownership. The rights connected to the property ended up tangled between different parties, studios, and legal claims, which made launching a new project about as easy as escaping a haunted summer camp. Now there are signs that the situation could be loosening up. According to comments shared with TMZ, franchise co-creator Sean S. Cunningham said a film treatment for a new movie already exists.
The concept reportedly aims to capture the spirit of the earlier entries in the series. He hinted at something closer to the “old school” tone that helped the original movies turn into a pop culture phenomenon decades ago. Cunningham explained that one of the biggest barriers over the years came from the complicated way the franchise rights were split. Both Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures hold pieces of the puzzle, and that arrangement made moving forward with a new production extremely tricky. Now, Cunningham indicated that the upcoming massive corporate merger involving those companies might smooth things out. If the studios end up operating under a shared umbrella, the thinking goes, those long-standing licensing headaches could disappear or at least become easier to handle.
That possibility alone has given longtime fans a small spark of hope. Another development may help too. Cunningham and fellow creator Victor Miller, who previously battled over ownership matters tied to the franchise, have settled their dispute. With that disagreement no longer hanging over the series, one more locked door might finally be opening. Still, even if the legal clouds clear completely, a new movie isn’t guaranteed just yet. There are scripts to write, directors to find, budgets to figure out, and the usual studio approvals that come with launching a major horror title. Cunningham himself seems realistic about the situation. He also stated that the new script probably needs a “young writer” at the keyboard because the whole point of the franchise has always been the “fear of untimely death.”
Crystal Lake. Coming soon to Peacock. pic.twitter.com/WLPdAPUKJZ
— Peacock (@peacock) March 13, 2026
And he admitted that the anxiety doesn’t quite hit the same way once you’ve reached a certain age. So, rather than handling the writing himself, Cunningham suggested he would likely act as a “cheerleader” behind the scenes if the project moves forward. Furthermore, he mentioned the possibility of serving as an executive producer if cameras eventually start rolling. But, it's important to note that no official film has been announced yet. But the world of ‘Friday the 13th’ isn’t completely silent. A television series titled ‘Crystal Lake’ is currently in development for Peacock. The show acts as a prequel. At the moment, Peacock hasn’t revealed a precise premiere date for the series. What’s known so far is that the show is expected to arrive sometime in 2026.
