When it comes to the modern slasher, few characters are as iconic as the hockey mask-wearing, machete-wielding maniac Jason Voorhees. His main motivation has always been to hunt and kill young adults in gruesome ways. Over the years, audiences have even found themselves rooting for the killer, wishing death upon the sinful victims. But seriously—look at how cool this guy is!
So, where has Jason been all these years? It has been far too long since we’ve gotten a proper Friday the 13th film. Twelve years removed from the Platinum Dunes release, we are currently in the longest stretch without a Friday the 13th movie since the original hit theaters in 1980. And it’s not for lack of trying. After the success of the 2009 reboot, another film seemed inevitable. Rumors swirled about direct sequels, prequels, and even found-footage stories.
Today, we explore the horror movie that almost was: Nick Antosca’s Friday the 13th 3D.
Some of you may be asking: who exactly is Nick Antosca? While he isn’t a household name, he has been steadily rising in Hollywood. Antosca created the award-winning Hulu show The Act, starring Patricia Arquette and Joey King. He’s also producing the new Chucky TV show alongside Don Mancini. Clearly, he has the experience to deliver a horror project that’s at least halfway decent.
Keeping track of Friday the 13th continuity is notoriously tricky. Almost every film introduces new wrinkles and creates continuity errors. When the 2009 reboot arrived, fans were relieved—at least superficially. The reboot borrowed elements from the first four Friday the 13th films, condensing them into a single narrative so the story could continue.
But here’s the catch: it was another reboot, not a continuation. The film is set in 1988 and makes nods to the franchise lore, while altering key details. In Antosca’s script, Jason drowns in 1966, and his mother, Pamela Voorhees, kills six counselors the next year instead of two.
One interesting aspect of Antosca’s script is the inclusion of children at Camp Crystal Lake. Apart from Friday the 13th Part VI, the counselors are rarely responsible for kids. This addition could have added urgency and tension, but the children appear only in the first act before being sent home. Jason isn’t introduced while they are present, reducing the potential stakes.
In terms of story, there isn’t much to speak of—but that’s often expected from a Friday the 13th film. Unfortunately, the script leans too heavily on 1980s nostalgia rather than building horror effectively. For instance:
The “typical slasher sex scene” is awkwardly described, overusing the word silent.
The first kill (the camp’s owner, Duckworth) goes unnoticed by other characters.
Dialogue is often stereotypical and unengaging, making the first 10 pages feel more like a teen comedy than a horror movie.
Even a near-drowning scene—usually tense—adds confusion to Jason’s motivations, as the counselors demonstrate responsibility by saving a child.
A key issue for fans is Jason himself. There’s always debate over which version of Jason works best: the realistic, hulking killer from Derek Mears’ portrayal or the almost supernatural “teleporting zombie.” In this script:
Jason is hulking and realistic at first, reminiscent of Derek Mears’ take.
He isn’t clearly seen wearing his hockey mask until page 66.
The first on-screen kill doesn’t occur until page 32, technically 44 pages if counting the full depiction.
He heals in Crystal Lake, grows stronger after dying, and sprints rather than stalking.
Some changes work, like suspenseful scenes with the counselors hearing massive footsteps or children witnessing Jason in daylight. Others, like Little Jason wearing a Mickey Mouse mask, seem unrealistic and unnecessary. Overall, Jason’s late introduction and sparse appearances make it easy to forget this is even a Friday the 13th movie.
After getting so close to production, the film was ultimately shelved for two main reasons:
Box Office Concerns – The poor performance of Rings signaled to studio executives that audiences were reluctant to revive dormant horror series, even if the comparison was tenuous.
Legal Battles – Friday the 13th has faced ongoing legal disputes. Victor Miller and Sean Cunningham have long disagreed over the franchise’s rights, splitting ownership between story elements (Miller) and the hockey-mask slasher (Cunningham). These disputes remain unresolved, blocking potential production.
While the script has pacing issues, awkward dialogue, and a delayed introduction of Jason, it also contains compelling concepts and a return to what Friday the 13th is really about: Jason killing horny teens. Stripped to its core, this is exactly the kind of story fans crave.
If produced, Antosca’s Friday the 13th 3D could have been an exciting, modern addition to the franchise—but for now, it remains the horror movie that almost was.