A multi-platform expansion of the franchise from its original owners, the has been taking shape this year, with everything from NECA toys to a Halloween Horror Nights attraction announced thus far. What else is coming this year, you ask?
Variety has announced this afternoon, described as a “short-form vignette” that will serve as “the centerpiece of the franchise’s bold 45th anniversary campaign.”
What the hell does that mean? Well, it sounds like Sweet Revenge is a glorified commercial for , with the short set to debut on the Jason Universe YouTube channel as well as a site hosted by Angry Orchard. Variety notes in their report that Angry Orchard is “sponsoring the vignette as part of a larger collaboration with the franchise.”
Jason Universe teases, “fans will drop into a chilling weekend in the woods filled with blood-soaked surprises only Jason can deliver.”
Sweet Revenge will be directed by (Wrong Turn), who also recently wrapped production on Cineverse and Bloody Disgusting’s Silent Night, Deadly Night reboot.
“I am so grateful that the team at Horror, Inc. saw something in Sweet Revenge and wanted it as a part of the Jason Voorhees story!” Nelson said in a statement. “And to think 30 years ago I was trying to secretly watch these movies on VHS when no one was looking. To have the opportunity to write and direct one of these stories is surreal – not to mention having an amazing team led by and Brianna Lee Johnson help me bring it to life! Not only is the vignette a new take on the beloved IP, it is a comforting, gory hug, reminding us why we fell in love with these movies. Much gruesome fun awaits you!”
Friday 13th LLC’s Marc Toberoff added, “Jason has always been a force in pop culture, and the 45th anniversary felt like the perfect moment to do something truly unexpected. Partnering with Horror, Inc. and Angry Orchard who share our passion has opened up a new way to engage fans. It’s exciting to see the franchise evolve with such creativity while staying true to what makes Jason iconic.”
“We were beyond excited when Mike Nelson came on board and Angry Orchard sponsored production to help us bring this to life in a wickedly unexpected way,” Horror, Inc. chief marketing officer Sheri Conn said in a statement of her own. “Even in a short vignette, Nelson will masterfully capture our shared vision–honoring the heritage of the franchise while delivering something fresh and thrilling for a new generation.”
Jason Universe is also a key figure in the upcoming Peacock and A24 TV series “Crystal Lake,” an expanded prequel to the original film franchise that just began production last week.
