This week has brought a lot of confusion about “Crystal Lake,” A24, Peacock and Bryan Fuller’s (“Hannibal”) television series expansion of the Friday the 13th franchise. While reports and rumors spread about A24 pulling the plug on the series, we told you on Monday that that’s not exactly the case. Rather, the project is being retooled behind the scenes.
So what exactly is going on here? Bryan Fuller has taken to Instagram tonight to provide an update. The bad news? Fuller is no longer involved with the “Crystal Lake” series.
The good news? That doesn’t mean A24 is giving up hope on the project.
Fuller writes on Instagram, “Adapting classic horror is something I have some experience with. These shows require a vision that elevates and transforms, as well as delivers what audiences have come to expect, which is an ambitious and risky endeavor. It requires people to take the leap with me.
“When it works, as with HANNIBAL, the results can be powerful for the storytellers and the audience. I couldn’t be more proud of the work my co-showrunner Jim Danger Gray and I were able to accomplish with our brilliant writing staff despite the challenges we faced.
“For reasons beyond our control, A24 has elected to go a different way with the material. We hope the final product will be something Friday the 13th fans all over the world will enjoy.”
A24 and Peacock are now searching for a new showrunner for the series. Stay tuned.
Peacock had given the project a straight-to-series order in 2022, with “Crystal Lake” being described as an “expanded prequel” to the original Friday the 13th franchise featuring both Jason Voorhees and his mother, Pamela Voorhees. Original Friday the 13th final girl Adrienne King had even signed on for a recurring role in the planned A24 television series.
Bryan Fuller was to serve as writer, showrunner and executive producer, with Victor Miller (who penned the original classic) producing with Marc Toberoff, Rob Barsamian, and A24.
Kevin Williamson (Scream, Sick) was on board to write an episode, last we heard.