The horror genre recently received a positive uptick in Hollywood thanks to Sydney Sweeney and her Immaculate outing. However, on the other side of the coin, disappointment followed with a much-anticipated project, Friday the 13th: The Series, losing its prized writer. The prequel series has already generated sufficient hype and hope because of its overarching legacy that goes back decades and consists of twelve slasher films.
Regardless, fans of the franchise had locked in their hopes after the show’s running man, Kevin Williamson took steps in the right direction creatively. Now, the same fanbase has taken to a period of shock and discontent with another update, also coming from the producer. Many took to social media to vent out their disbelief and the turn of events while expressing concern over the future of the show, initially expected to be released sometime in 2024.
Kevin Williamson sheds light on a scrapped storyline for Friday the 13th prequel
A little while ago news broke of the Friday the 13th prequel series losing its primary writer, Bryan Fuller, owing to creative differences. The acclaimed storyteller enjoys immense fame with his work on the iconic horror-thriller franchise of Hannibal. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Kevin Williamson revealed he was “Bummin’ hard,” especially when he looked forward to their “hour long chase episode”. The news came as a blow to fans who hold unanimous agreement to Fuller’s creative prowess.
Bummin’ hard, so sorry I won’t be a part of what would have been an epic Bryan Fuller show. Your pilot was so beautifully realized. A gorgeous portait of a mother unraveling in her grief. Not to mention bloody horrific! I was so looking forward to our hour long chase episode!
— Kevin Williamson (@kevwilliamson) May 11, 2024
Titled as Crystal Lake, the new prequel series is a work in collaboration with Peacock and A24. First announced on Halloween 2022, the show aims to provide a fresh take on the iconic franchise and thus, added Fuller as its writer, showrunner, and executive producer. Meanwhile, regardless of his exit, the show stands set for further production, with its base story going on to explore the lore and origins of Camp Crystal Lake from the original productions.
In addition to Williamson, filmmaker Vincenzo Natali, also took to X to reveal that he had read the first two episodes of the show and that Fuller had already put his “beautiful, sad, poetic, funny and horrifying” spin on it similar to his plans for Hannibal. Furthermore, he also stated that he mourned the parting of ways while again reaffirming his full faith in the writer’s “reinvention”.
Fans express their anguish on the Bryan Fuller exit
The track record that the writer achieved with Hannibal, despite reports of cast issues, showcased his ability to elevate classic horror to new heights. Furthermore, his innovative style that dives deep into a character and brings out the thrill in it, such as the daunting persona of Hannibal Lecter, had fans throw their hands up in sorrow at the news of his exit. To complicate emotions, Williamson’s reveals of the details for potentially good episodes left many appalled.
Got robbed pic.twitter.com/0GgyXusDd2
— 𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕠 〰️ (@MANOMAGlC) May 11, 2024
Just feel on my knees rn at the liberty statue 🗽
— Nonso (@Chinonso_nornor) May 11, 2024
Horror fans rn pic.twitter.com/Yf6lOjkhVw
— T⚽️byy (@t0byychels) May 11, 2024
Why torture us with things we'll never get….. pic.twitter.com/x8Sgqp5nHG
— Matt Jarbo (@mjarbo) May 11, 2024
Narrating his side of the story, Bryan Fuller had also expressed on X that “these shows require a vision” and “is an ambitious and risky endeavor”. Hinting about the differences he had also mentioned that he wished for people, or in this case, the studio and its executives, “to take the leap with me”. Finally, the show may now face a likely delay as the search moves for a new creative visionary with a 2025 pushback looking plausible.
