Summary
TheFriday the 13thprequel TV series from A24 and Peacock has seemingly found a fan-favorite actress to play an important character in the horror franchise’s lore.
A24’sFriday the 13thseries was first announced in October 2022. TitledCrystal Lake, theFriday the 13thprequel series was developed with Bryan Fulleras writer, showrunner, and executive producer. The series progressed far enough to enlistScreamfranchise creator Kevin Williamson to write one episode and actress Adrienne King (who played Final Girl Alice Hardy in theoriginal 1980Friday the 13thfilm and briefly in its sequel) for an undisclosed role. Fuller’s eventual departure led to a retooling of theFriday the 13thprequel series, which may have chosen an actress to lead the show.
A24’s Friday the 13th Prequel Seems to Have Found Its Mrs. Vorhees
OnTheInSneider, Jeff Sneider reports thatLinda Cardellini is in the talks to star in theFriday the 13thprequel series as Mrs. Voorhees. The machete-wielding and hockey mask-donning killer Jason Voorhees is widely recognized as the face of theFriday the 13thfranchise. However, horror fans need not be reminded that Mrs. Pamela Voorhees, Jason’s mother, was the killer responsible for the Crystal Lake massacre in the original 1980 film. For the uninitiated, Pamela Voorhees (originally played by Besty Palmer) was a cook at the camp, where her sonJason Voorhees supposedly drowned, prompting the grief-stricken mother to exact revenge on the camp counselors she deemed responsible for her son’s death due to their negligence. Over two decades later, new counselors attempt to re-open the camp, leading to Pamela Voorhees' horrific killing spree of the firstFriday the 13thfilm.
Despite being decapitated by Alice Hardy in the original film, Pamela Voorhees plays an integral role in the subsequentFriday the 13thmovies, serving as a guiding spirit or hallucination that urges her son Jason Voorhees to kill. With A24’sFriday the 13thseries being described as an “expanded prequel” featuring Pamela and Jason Voorhees, fans can expect this complicated relationship to be explored further. Thus, casting Mrs. Voorhees is essential to the show’s success, and fan responses to Cardellini being in talks for the role have been positive.
Cardellini is a much-loved actress with an impressive resume. Her work includes roles in high-profile films likeLegally Blonde,Brokeback Mountain, Best Picture winnerGreen Book, and two characters in the MCU franchise. She also earned an Emmy nomination for her performance as Judy Hale in the Netflix black comedy-dramaDead to Me. Of course, an entire generation may best know her for portrayingVelma Dinkley in the live-actionScooby-Doomovies. Fuller’s exit disappointed most fans, particularly after debunked reports claimed theFriday the 13thprequels series was scrapped. Cardellini’s potential casting is a positive sign for those eager to hear of any progress on the series.
