Mike P. Nelson Unveils ‘Sweet Revenge’ – A Fresh, Bloody Chapter for ‘Friday the 13th’

Mike P. Nelson, the director behind the “Silent Night, Deadly Night” reboot, is now diving into the “Friday the 13th” world with a new short film called “Sweet Revenge.” This project is part of the celebrations for the 45th anniversary of the original “Friday the 13th” movie, according to Variety. The film is produced by Horror, Inc., which owns the rights to the franchise.

“Sweet Revenge” promises to bring a fresh, intense weekend in the woods filled with Jason Voorhees-style horror. Nelson is not only directing but also writing and producing the film through his company, Rockford Road Pictures. Filming began recently, and fans will be able to watch the short on the Jason Universe YouTube channel.

It will also be available on a special site sponsored by Angry Orchard Hard Cider, which is partnering with the franchise.

This new short is part of a larger push by Horror, Inc. to revive “Friday the 13th” with new energy. The franchise recently revealed a new look for Jason created by artist Greg Nicotero. Jason is also returning to Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights for the first time in nearly ten years. On top of that, a new TV series called “Crystal Lake,” produced by A24, is in development.

Mike P. Nelson shared his excitement about the project: “I am so grateful that the team at Horror, Inc. saw something in ‘Sweet Revenge’ and wanted it as a part of the Jason Voorhees story! And to think 30 years ago I was trying to secretly watch these movies on VHS when no one was looking. To have the opportunity to write and direct one of these stories is surreal – not to mention having an amazing team led by Chad Villella and Brianna Lee Johnson help me bring it to life! Not only is the vignette a new take on the beloved IP, it is a comforting, gory hug, reminding us why we fell in love with these movies. Much gruesome fun awaits you!”

Marc Toberoff from Friday 13th LLC also commented: “Jason has always been a force in pop culture, and the 45th anniversary felt like the perfect moment to do something truly unexpected. Partnering with Horror, Inc. and Angry Orchard who share our passion has opened up a new way to engage fans. It’s exciting to see the franchise evolve with such creativity while staying true to what makes Jason iconic.”

Sheri Conn, chief marketing officer at Horror, Inc., added: “We were beyond excited when Mike Nelson came on board and Angry Orchard sponsored production to help us bring this to life in a wickedly unexpected way. Even in a short vignette, Nelson will masterfully capture our shared vision–honoring the heritage of the franchise while delivering something fresh and thrilling for a new generation.”

Nelson has a solid history in horror, having directed the “Wrong Turn” reboot in 2021 and his first film, “The Domestics.” His “Silent Night, Deadly Night” reboot will hit theaters on December 12.

This new short film shows that the “Friday the 13th” franchise is eager to connect with both longtime fans and new viewers as it marks a major milestone. With new stories and fresh talent involved, Jason Voorhees looks ready to keep haunting audiences for years to come.

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