The long-gestatingFriday the 13thprequel seriesCrystal Lakethat’s in the works from A24 seems to be back on track after the departure of showrunner Bryan Fuller last year caused it to undergo a complete overhaul. Brad Caleb Kane, who recently wrapped production on theITprequel seriesWelcome to Derry, is now running the show, andwe have our first bit of casting news thatLinda Cardelliniis in talks to play Pamela Voorhees.
The news comes by way of industry insider Jeff Sneider (viaBloody Disgusting), so take it with a grain of salt right now until it’s been confirmed by other sources, but if true,Cardellini would be the first official cast member forCrystal Lake. First announced in 2022, the show is described as an “expanded prequel” to the popular slasher franchise, and will focus on not only Pamela, but her son Jason as well.
Cardellini first rose to prominencein the 1999 TV showFreaks and Geeks, before going on to star in the latter half of the hit medical dramaERuntil its conclusion in 2009. Her feature film credits include such hits as the live actionScooby-Doofilms in which she played Velma,Green Book, and she also appeared in the MCU as Laura Barton, a.k.a. Agent 19. She currently voices the character of Elizabeth Bates inCreature Commandos, and has a starring role in the dark comedy seriesNo Good Deed. In 2020 and 2021, she was nominated for a slew of awards for her performance in the hit Netflix seriesDead to Me, including a Primetime Emmy, and a couple of Screen Actors Guild trophies.
‘Crystal Lake’ Will Be “Worth the Wait”
While many fans eagerly anticipatingCrystal Lakewere disappointed following the exit of Fuller last year, Kane is no slouch when it comes to writing and producing good TV. In addition to being an executive producer and co-showrunneron the aforementionedWelcome to Derry, he was also a producer and writer on such hits asFringeandBlack Sails. As someone who grew up a fan ofFriday the 13th, he seems to have a good handle on things, saying at the time he took over the series,“Nothing defined my childhood more than growing up in the golden age of the slasher flick, and nothing’s defined the genre more thanFriday The 13th.”
Though major updates have been few and far between right now, Kane did take to his Instagram account in December (seen above) to shed some light on what’s been going on behind the scenes, sayingCrystal Lakewill be “worth the wait” by the time it’s all said and done.“Happy Friday the 13th (to those who celebrate!) wish I could give a more substantial update but mum’s the word,“he wrote, adding:
“Suffice it to say the story’s been broken, scripts have been and are being written and the goal is to give the fans (including myself) a tense, scary, bloody and satisfying ride that’s well worth the wait. More news to come in the new year. Unless, y’know..we’re all doomed.”
Friday the 13th Project That Will Never Be Made Gets Incredible Praise from Horror Director
Splice director Vincenzo Natali has high praise for Bryan Fuller’s scrapped version of Friday the 13th prequel series, Crystal Lake.
As we await official confirmation of Cardellini in the role of Pamela Voorhees, be sure to check outFriday the 13thParts 1–8 streaming now on PlutoTV. The remainder of the franchise, including the 2009 reboot, is available to rent or purchase on all VOD platforms.
Crystal Lake
