Horror, Inc., the original owners of the Friday the 13th film franchise, has tapped director and screenwriter Mike P. Nelson (“Wrong Turn”) to helm “Sweet Revenge,” Jason Universe’s new, bloody short-form vignette and the centerpiece of the franchise’s 45th anniversary campaign.
“Fans have been hungry for more Jason stories, and as we celebrate 45 years of this icon, we wanted to deliver a taste of what’s to come,” said Robbie Barsamian, Executive Vice President of Horror, Inc. “Sweet Revenge brings Jason back to his brutal roots, where he belongs, with Mike’s delivery of expertly crafted thrills and kills.”
Production for “Sweet Revenge” began in June with Nelson at the helm as writer, director, and producer through his Rockford Road Pictures shingle. Fans will drop into a chilling weekend in the woods filled with blood-soaked surprises only Jason can deliver. Known for his character-driven and classic slasher kill approach, Nelson earned acclaim for directing the 2021 “Wrong Turn” reboot, which was praised for its raw, grounded terror and relentless tension.
“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,” said Nelson. “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!”
The short-form vignette will debut on both the Jason Universe YouTube channel and through a dedicated microsite hosted by Angry Orchard Hard Cider. The hard cider brand is sponsoring the vignette as part of a larger collaboration with Horror Inc.’s Jason Universe, which will continue to roll out for fans later this summer.
“Angry Orchard fans love bold, unexpected entertainment—especially horror—so this partnership just made sense,” said Matt Withington, Senior Director of Marketing at Angry Orchard. “It’s a perfect way to celebrate 45 years of an iconic franchise while creating new experiences for our drinkers in a space that they are already passionate about. We can’t wait to continue to bring the partnership to life this year.”
The franchise is poised for a powerful resurgence timed to its 45th anniversary. Recently, the franchise debuted an all-new Jason Voorhees design by legendary FX artist Greg Nicotero, announced Jason’s integration at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights for the first time in nearly a decade, and has continued development of A24’s highly anticipated “Crystal Lake” series. Horror, Inc.’s “Sweet Revenge” is the latest collaboration with Nelson and Angry Orchard, delving into the next chapter of the franchise to blend its storied legacy with equal parts nostalgia and fresh terror.
