The Friday the 13th reboot is back to square one after losing its screenwriter and director, Nick Antosca, but now the original writer has revealed what could have been.
In an interview with Necronomicast via Bloody Disgusting, Antosca, who was replaced as screenwriter last month, revealed that he was brought on by Paramount to compose a new version of the movie that was not found footage. This confirms the rumor that the studio had been originally developing a Blair Witch style installment, but Antosca's draft revealed a page-one rewrite that removed this element.
Antosca said he also worked closely with director David Bruckner, who has since left the film as well.
"His idea from the first meeting was he wanted [Friday the 13th] to really have likable, real characters, and to be set in the 80’s," Antosca said.
Bruckner's vision would have made this the first Friday the 13th installment to be a period piece. The 2009 reboot updated the franchise for modern times, but Bruckner wanted to go for an old-school feel in line with the classic movies. His version even would have opened with the '80s Paramount logo as a throwback to the original series. Currently Paramount has decided to go in a different direction, with the latest draft set in the present day.
"I’m bummed they didn’t do the draft [but] I’m more bummed that David is not on the project [anymore]," Antosca said.
The new screenwriter for Friday the 13th is Aaron Guzikowski (Prisoners). Don't expect much of what Antosca described to carry over, as Guzikowski has been hired for yet another page-one rewrite.
Jason Voorhees' latest revival has experienced a rather troubled history, including three separate delays over the past few years, as we previously reported.
The film is currently slated for January 13, 2017, but since it does not even have a new director attached yet, don't be shocked if it gets delayed a fourth time.