As fans of horror are saddened by Bryan Fuller's departure from a “Friday the 13th” TV series in the works at Peacock from producers A24, new information about Fuller’s approach to the material is starting to come out. According to filmmaker Vincenzo Natali, who mentioned on X that he read the first two scripts, the show reimagined the iconic franchise much like Fuller portrayed Hannibal Lecter for his acclaimed three-season “Hannibal” series.
“Bryan Fuller’s version of Crystal Lake was on its way to becoming another reinvention similar to his work on Hannibal that was at the same time beautiful, sad, poetic, funny and horrifying. I mourn its passing,” the director of “Splice” said. said.
“Scream” writer Kevin Williamson, who was collaborating on “Crystal Lake” with Fuller, also took to X to reveal details about Fuller’s vision, hinting at an hour-long chase episode and a storyline that focused on the grief of Jason Voorhees’ mother.
“Feeling really disappointed, I'm so sorry I won't be a part of what would have been an amazing Bryan Fuller show,” Williamson said on X. “Your pilot was so beautifully realized. A stunning portrayal of a mother unraveling in her grief. Not to mention bloody horrific! I was really looking forward to our hour-long chase episode!”
The 1980’s “Friday the 13th” follows the mother of Jason Voorhees as she kills various counselors at Camp Crystal Lake, on a rampage after her son drowned while the counselors were not paying attention. It was in the sequels that Jason became the main villain of the series.
News of Fuller’s departure from the show came out on Friday, as differences in creativity with A24 were responsible for the split. A24 will continue to develop the show, but this is a significant setback after the studio acquired the “Friday the 13th” rights following years of legal issues that kept the franchise inactive.
This also isn’t the first time Fuller has left a high-profile series. He was the original showrunner on Paramount+’s “Star Trek Discovery” and worked on developing the first new “Trek” TV series in years, but departed due to creative differences before production began.
Fuller led the blood-soaked “Hannibal” over three seasons, covering aspects from the books “Hannibal” and “Red Dragon” while creating a stunning and dreamlike story of obsession.
In discussing his departure from “Crystal Lake,” Fuller referred to his experience on “Hannibal.”
“Adapting classic horror is something I have some experience with,” he said on social media. “These shows require a vision that elevates and transforms, as well as delivers what audiences have come to expect, which is an ambitious and risky endeavor. It requires people to take the leap with me. When it works, as with ‘Hannibal,’ the results can be powerful for the storytellers and the audience. I couldn’t be more proud of the work my coshowrunner Jim Danger Gray and I were able to accomplish with our brilliant writing staff despite the challenges we faced.”
