Jason Voorhees has been unveiled with a new look that will be implemented in various media projects, such as film, television, video games, and merchandise.Friday the 13thwas released in theaters on July 17, 2025, just over 45 years ago, and since then, it has become one of the most iconic horror franchises of all time, with the slasher Jason Voorhees becoming a pop culture icon. However,due to various rights issues, Jason has been absent from the big screen since 2009. In 2024, Horror Inc. announced plans for Jason Universe, a multimedia expansion of theFriday the 13thfranchise.
Adweek unveiled the first official look at the new redesign for Jasoon Voorhees, overseen by legendary special effects artist Greg Nicotero, which can be seen below. This Jason Voorhees design is said to go back to the original depiction of the character, one fans commonly associate with entries likeFriday the 13th Part IIIandFriday the 13th Part IV - The Final Chapter, though some design elements from the 2009Friday the 13threboot appear to be present. It has ditched some of the more zombie-like elements seen in films likeFreddy vs. Jason,Jason Goes to Hell, or the space-themedJason X.The iconic hockey maskhas been slightly tweaked, with a more angular and narrow red arrow pointing down between the eyes. Rob Barsamian, president of Horror, Inc., said about the redesign:
“We strive to maintain Jason’s original essence, while continuing to move toward the future with a defined look and feel that takes Jason into his next chapter. We’re also working with both familiar and fresh franchise voices to strike that balance. We gave Greg our new 13-hole mask and worked together on this full body look that embodies classic Jason. He’s a strong, towering and terrifying slasher with a machete, his weapon of choice."
In a Violent Nature Is an Honorary Friday the 13th Movie
The buzzy new slasher from IFC Films is perfect for fans who have been missing Jason Voorhees on the big screen.
Why Reveal the New Jason Voorhees Now?
The first part of the Jason Universe franchise expansion is the A24-producedCrystal Lakeprequel series set to air on Peacock.That series will follow the life of Pamela Voorhees, played by Linda Cardellini. Notably, that show might not feature this new Jason design as it would follow the events before the 1980 film or the sequels, where he adopted the iconic look. Marc Toberoff, copyright attorney for originalFriday the 13thscreenwriter Victor Miller and now co-executive producer onCrystal Lake, is working with Horror Inc. on the Jason Universe plans. Toberoff said:
“It’s incredibly exciting to bring Jason Voorhees back into the lives of fans in such a bold and fresh way. We’re thrilled to be working alongside Horror, Inc. on this next chapter of the franchise and Jason’s legacy, and we share their passion. Together, we’re making sure this return delivers everything longtime fans have been craving—while opening the door for an entirely new generation.”
Horror, Inc.’s chief marketing officer, Sheri Conn, promises a feature film is on the way, saying:
“We’re listening to fans and actively developing a slate under the Jason Universe banner that spans new movies, gaming, immersive experiences, collectibles and more. Our film franchise is one of the most enduring horror properties in cinematic history, and we’re actively reimagining what the next chapter—and the slasher genre overall—can become…Our long-term vision for Jason Universe is to continue building upon the franchise’s iconic history, alongside partners who understand our goals and the importance of staying true to our roots,”
Unveiling a new Jason design before a feature film is even in development certainly seems weird, as the filmmakers involved with the latest interpretation often make this type of decision as opposed to a marketing agency.The Jason Universe brandingexercise feels confusing. Why did they need to unveil a new Jason design, given thatCrystal Lakemight not feature the character’s iconic Jason look? Why not just use the design featured for the past 16 years since the franchise’s last feature film?
While the intention is clearly to create a unified marketing umbrella, it can’t help by feeling cynical and treatingFriday the 13thand Jason Voorhees as products first and foremost, instead of making sure his next film gets off the ground. While the slasher series might not have been the highest artistic achievement, and the sequels were fast-tracked to make money off a young audience’s appetite for the genre in the 1980s, it is a series that does mean a lot to people and thatmany artists put a lot of care into. This new Jason design does capture the essence of what audiences think of when they imagine him, but it feels like it would be more exciting if it were created for a newFriday the 13thfilm as opposed to being a new design for merchandise.
