News Bites: Jason, Ricci and Jane
Hockey mask on as the sounds of Camp Crystal Lake are getting a legendary upgrade.
Brad Caleb Kane, showrunner for A24’s highly anticipated prequel series Crystal Lake, recently took to Instagram to drop a bombshell for horror fans: the “Maestro” himself, Harry Manfredini, is officially back in the fold.
Kane shared a photo of a lunch meeting with Manfredini, captioned with a tease that should send chills down your spine: “Cookin’ up some fresh nightmare fuel for ya.”
While we don’t know yet if Manfredini is scoring the entire eight-episode run or acting as a consultant/contributor, his involvement is a massive win for the franchise’s legacy. Manfredini is the architect of the series’ sonic DNA, having scored nine of the twelve Friday the 13th films. Whether it’s the iconic whispering “Ki Ki Ki, Ma Ma Ma” or the frantic strings of a chase scene, his music is as much a character as Jason himself.
Set to premiere on Peacock later this year, the series looks to dive deep into the tragic, twisted origins of the Voorhees family. Here’s a quick breakdown of the production so far:
Linda Cardellini takes on the heavy mantle of Mrs. Voorhees. In this iteration, she’s a mother who abandoned a singing career to care for her son, Jason—a choice that clearly leads to the dark path we know all too well. The New Jason: Callum Vinson (Chucky) will portray a young Jason Voorhees.
Filling out the rest of the cast are William Catlett, Cameron Scoggins, and Gwendolyn Sundstrom rounding out the cast.
Directorial duties are being split between Michael Lennox (Derry Girls), the duo Celine Held & Logan George (Caddo Lake), and Quyen Tran (The Pitt).
Beyond just nostalgia, Manfredini’s return signals that A24 is serious about honouring the roots of the franchise. His resume reads like a “Best Of” list for cult horror, including House, Wishmaster, and Swamp Thing. By bringing back the man who defined the sound of 80s slasher cinema, Crystal Lake is bridging the gap between modern prestige horror and its gritty, blood-soaked ancestors
The official trailer for The Dresden Sun, the much-anticipated indie sci-fi thriller from filmmaker Michael Ryan, has landed.
After more than a decade of dedicated work, Ryan’s ambitious vision is finally reaching audiences. VMI Worldwide has unveiled the trailer, offering a tantalizing glimpse into a future where technology and humanity are locked in a dangerous collision.
The cast is notable with Steven Ogg, Linus Roache, Samantha Win, Richard Blackmon, Mena Suvari and Christina Ricci
The trailer certainly showcases The Dresden Sun’s visual effects (VFX) alongside its ambitious and striking world that’s vibrant and technologically advanced. Its high-concept premise, strong cast, and interesting trailer suggest it has the potential to deliver a genuinely thrilling cinematic experience. Lets out the ambitious scope will not overshadow the narrative punch.
Sticking with Sci-fi, Thomas Jane is reuniting with Joel Souza Reunite for Sci-Fi Thriller Celestia.
Jane and Souza previously made the fantastic 2019 cop drama Crown Vic.
Jane stars as Graham, a devoted but troubled father who survives a crash landing on a remote planet. While his daughter remains trapped inside their failing spacecraft, Graham must navigate a hostile alien landscape to find a way home. Graham soon discovers evidence that their arrival might not have been an accident. According to the filmmakers, the story leans into “contained tension” and psychological horror.
With a script penned by Cory Todd Hughes and Adrian Speckert who wrote Under Fire and the Jane/Sourza combination, Celestia is definitely one to watch out for.