Meet the new Jason!

Just last week we heard whispers that Michael Bailey Smith, one of the mutated redneck killers in both of the recent THE HILLS HAVE EYES flicks, was one of the front runners to play Jason in the upcoming FRIDAY THE 13TH ‘remake.’ What a difference a week makes, as today the man who will be Jason has been revealed, and it’s not Smith afterall, but rather his THE HILLS HAVE EYES II co-star Derek Mears!

He’s big, he’s bald, he has the ‘look’ of the Jason we all know and love (minus the rotting face), and he may be the perfect casting decision since Kane Hodder wore the mask a few sequels back. He’s a stuntman/actor by trade, and he’s already proven he can be a brutal killer… but what do you think? Is Mears the man for the job, or just another hack like Ken Kirzinger in FREDDY VS JASON?

Though it hasn’t hit the official ‘trades’, both AICN and BD are confirming the news, receiving separate scoops from confirmed sources… but there’s always a chance (no matter how slim) that this is just a rumor… so take it with a grain of salt until it becomes ‘official’ (which will likely be later this week).

With filming to be begin in about a month, and a release date creeping nearer and nearer, the casting of Jason right now sounds about right. Derek Mears as Jason… I can dig it, yo! Get ready for the new FRIDAY THE 13TH in theaters everywhere Friday, February 13th, 2009!