Jason Voorhees is making a chilling return. Horror Inc. has announced the development of a brand-new Friday the 13th sequel film and a new sequel video game—ending years of legal limbo and reigniting one of the most iconic horror franchises in cinematic history.
The announcement was made during the “Horror: From Script to Scream” panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2025 by Robbie Barsamian, Vice President of Horror Inc., the company that controls the rights to the Friday the 13th franchise. Barsamian confirmed that both a new movie and a new video game are not only in early development, but that they are both “at the top of our list” in terms of priority.
The reveal signals a long-awaited rebirth of the franchise after over a decade of silence. The last entry in the series was the 2009 Friday the 13th reboot, a film that received mixed reviews but introduced Jason to a new generation. Since then, the franchise has been dormant due to complex legal battles over character and story rights.
Importantly, Barsamian clarified that this upcoming movie is not the Crystal Lake prequel series currently in development at Peacock, but rather a completely separate theatrical project. The new game will also be a true sequel to the 2017 asymmetrical multiplayer title that garnered a cult following but was ultimately shut down due to licensing issues.
The news of the new projects comes on the heels of the Jason Universe announcement in May 2024. Horror Inc. launched this initiative to expand the Friday the 13th brand into a multi-platform franchise, encompassing not just film and games but also merchandise, immersive experiences, collectibles, and more.
The creation of the Jason Universe became possible after a major legal dispute between original screenwriter Victor Miller and producer Sean S. Cunningham was resolved. In 2021, Miller won the U.S. rights to the original screenplay, but international rights and control over the character of adult Jason Voorhees remained disputed. The result was years of stalled projects and franchise paralysis.
Now, Horror Inc. has confirmed that all necessary rights are in place to move forward. Barsamian stated at Comic-Con that “we're finally in a position to deliver,” pointing to a clear path forward for Jason Voorhees across multiple media channels.
This new era not only promises original storytelling but also attempts to correct the fragmented history that left fans with legal uncertainty and creative gaps. Horror Inc. aims to do what Marvel and Star Wars have done for their universes—create a central canon where film, game, and lore all connect under one umbrella.
The upcoming film will be a direct sequel within the Friday the 13th mythology, not a reboot or retelling. This makes it distinct from Crystal Lake, the streaming prequel series by Bryan Fuller, which focuses on Pamela Voorhees and Jason’s early years.
While plot details remain undisclosed, it’s clear that this new movie will continue the Jason Voorhees storyline from a fresh starting point. Given the length of time since the 2009 film, the new installment could modernize the slasher formula while staying true to the core ingredients of the franchise: Crystal Lake, masked terror, and creative kills.
The tone and style remain to be seen, but sources close to the project suggest that the film may incorporate new characters and expand on the mythos without abandoning what made Jason an icon. Whether the movie will bring back legacy characters or completely reboot the universe with continuity intact is still unknown.
Importantly, Barsamian emphasized that the film is not just a one-off. The intention is to establish a foundation for more films to follow, all interwoven into the Jason Universe framework. If successful, this could mark the beginning of a Friday the 13th cinematic renaissance.
In addition to the movie, fans can expect a brand-new video game sequel to 2017’s Friday the 13th: The Game. The original was a multiplayer experience where players could take on the role of Jason or camp counselors in asymmetrical PvP matches. It received strong fan support but was plagued by licensing issues, eventually leading to its delisting and server shutdown in 2024.
Now, Horror Inc. has confirmed that a new game is in development and will continue the spirit of the original while aiming to improve and expand it. Though the developers have not been officially named, Barsamian described the project as a “sequel” and not just a remake or port.
There’s growing speculation that the next game may introduce new gameplay mechanics beyond asymmetrical multiplayer. Fans are hoping for either a single-player campaign with a narrative focus or a hybrid model that allows both PvP and PvE storytelling. Horror Inc. has not confirmed the structure, but the mention of the Jason Universe suggests there will be a heavy focus on lore and interconnectedness.
The timeline for release remains unknown, but given the simultaneous development of the movie and game, it’s likely they will be strategically launched to support each other—creating a synergy between media formats that deepens fan engagement.
With legal barriers finally cleared and the Jason Universe in full motion, Friday the 13th is no longer just about horror—it’s about expansion, evolution, and multimedia storytelling. Jason Voorhees is back, and this time, he’s not coming alone.
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