New Line has hired "Darkness Falls" director Jonathan Liebesman to helm the as-yet-untitled "Friday the 13th" prequel which is being fast-tracked in an effort to make a 10/13 release date. Mr. Liebesman also just got finished directing the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" prequel, which is currently scheduled for a 10/6 release date.
Says Variety: "New Line has tapped horror helmer Jonathan Liebesman to direct the latest incarnation of the "Friday the 13th" franchise, set up at Michael Bay‘s Platinum Dunes.
Liebesman, who’s in final negotiations, has already worked with the studio and Platinum Dunes on "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning," due out in October. His debut feature was 2003’s "Darkness Falls" for Revolution.
The yet-to-be-titled pic will be the 11th outing in the "Friday the 13th" franchise, launched in 1980. Mark Wheaton ("Son of the Morning Star") is penning the project, centered on the origins of the Jason Voorhees character as portrayed in the first four pics in the series."
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Interesting trivia note: Mark Wheaton is a movie geek who used to write for CHUD.com under the name of Smilin’ Jack Ruby. Nice to see an internet movie nerd hit the big time. Congrats, Mark!
