Jason Voorhees, originally portrayed by Steve Dash in Friday the 13th: Part 2, stands as one of the most memorable villains in the slasher subsection of the horror genre, alongside figures like Freddy Krueger and Ghostface. This status is remarkable given he wasn't the original villain of the Friday the 13th franchise and didn't don his iconic hockey mask until Part 3. Despite his legendary standing, it has been a significant period since his last official appearance.

His most recent big-screen role was in the 2009 Friday the 13th remake, starring Jared Padalecki. Though initially met with mixed reactions, this film has since garnered a reputation as a misunderstood cult classic. After a prolonged hiatus, major plans are now in motion for Jason's return under the new 'Jason Universe' brand. This initiative begins with the long-anticipated Crystal Lake series from Peacock and A24, a prequel focusing on Jason's mother, Pamela Voorhees (to be played by Linda Cardellini), making the extent of Jason's direct involvement in the show uncertain.

The closest fans have had to a proper Jason comeback was the 2017 multiplayer title, Friday the 13th: The Game, which has since been taken offline and is no longer playable. However, Jason is now making a substantial return to the video game realm by officially joining the expansive roster of killers in the immensely popular horror game, Dead by Daylight. This move is particularly noteworthy given that Friday the 13th: The Game was often perceived as a direct competitor to Dead by Daylight.

Dead by Daylight, an asymmetrical multiplayer horror game, pits a group of survivor players against one or two powerful killers. Survivors aim to power generators and escape, while killers hunt, capture, and sacrifice them to a spider-like entity. Over the past decade, Dead by Daylight has consistently expanded its roster with both original characters and beloved pop culture horror icons. These include Michael Myers from Halloween, Leatherface from Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the Xenomorph from Alien, Chucky from Child's Play, the Demogorgon from Stranger Things, and Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street. Jason's addition marks the first official on-screen reunion with Freddy Krueger since their iconic battle in 2003's Freddy vs. Jason.

Jason Voorhees' arrival in Dead by Daylight comes at an opportune moment, with the game nearing its tenth anniversary. Furthermore, horror powerhouse Blumhouse is currently developing a Dead by Daylight movie, aiming to extend its unique brand of horror beyond the video game medium. Dead by Daylight is available across multiple platforms including PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, with Jason officially joining the roster on June 16, 2026.

The 2009 Friday the 13th film, released on February 13, 2009, and running for 97 minutes, was directed by Marcus Nispel. Its screenplay was penned by Damian Shannon, Mark Swift, Mark Wheaton, and Victor Miller, with producing credits going to Andrew Form, Brad Fuller, Michael Bay, and Sean S. Cunningham. Derek Mears notably portrayed Jason Voorhees in this installment, with Nana Visitor appearing as Pamela Voorhees.