The highly anticipated ‘Friday the 13th’ prequel series, ‘Crystal Lake,’ has found its new showrunner in Brad Caleb Kane, best known for his work on ‘It: Welcome to Derry,’ Deadline reports. Kane will take over from Bryan Fuller, who exited the project in May, citing creative differences as A24 opted to take the series in a different direction.

In addition to serving as the showrunner, Kane will also be the series’ creator, writer, and executive producer. His enthusiasm for the project is palpable. “From the moment I watched Jason Voorhees squeeze a guy’s eyeball out of its socket (in glorious 3D!) at the tender age of 8 years old, I knew my creative path was someday destined to converge with The Man Behind The Mask,” Kane shared in a statement. “I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity to contribute a chapter to this iconic franchise, particularly with such fearless partners as Peacock and A24.”

First announced in October 2022, the specifics of ‘Crystal Lake’s plot remain under wraps, but the project is already generating significant buzz as it marks A24’s first major foray into a well-established IP. Alongside Kane, the series boasts an impressive lineup of executive producers, including Victor Miller, the screenwriter of the original 1980 film; Miller’s copyright attorney Marc Toberoff; and Robert M. Barsamian.

The ‘Friday the 13th’ franchise, which has spanned 12 films since its inception, is one of the most enduring and influential horror series in history. The original film, directed by Sean S. Cunningham, introduced audiences to the infamous Camp Crystal Lake, where a young Jason Voorhees tragically drowned due to counselor negligence. This led to his mother, Pamela Voorhees, seeking brutal revenge on the camp’s counselors. Over time, Jason himself emerged as the franchise’s central villain, donning his iconic hockey mask and terrorizing generations of horror fans.

Kane’s recent work in the horror genre includes his role as co-showrunner and executive producer of the highly anticipated ‘It: Welcome to Derry,’ a prequel series to Stephen King’s ‘It.’ With his extensive experience in television, including work on shows like ‘Tokyo Vice,’ ‘Warrior,’ and ‘Black Sails,’ Kane is well-equipped to bring a fresh and terrifying vision to ‘Crystal Lake.’

Fans of the ‘Friday the 13th’ franchise are eagerly awaiting more details on the series, which promises to delve deeper into the lore of Camp Crystal Lake and the Voorhees family. With A24 and Peacock at the helm, and Kane’s passion for the material, ‘Crystal Lake’ is shaping up to be a must-watch for horror enthusiasts.

Stay tuned for more updates on the ‘Crystal Lake’ series as it moves closer to production.

Source: Deadline