Jason's Bloody Revenge: New Mask, Movie, and Merch Ignite Franchise Reboot | Horror News Podcast

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Jason Voorhees has exploded back into the horror spotlight this week, igniting buzz that’s equal parts nostalgia and fresh franchise ambition. First and foremost, his iconic return was revealed at San Diego Comic-Con, where Friday the 13th fans got their first look at Sweet Revenge, a short-form vignette directed by Mike P. Nelson, which marks the main event in the newly minted Jason Universe's 45th anniversary campaign according to IMDb and Bloody Disgusting. Sweet Revenge will officially premiere on August 13, 2025, and it’s not just another fan project—Angry Orchard is sponsoring the film, giving it commercial muscle. The trailer teased a masked, blood-drenched Jason that promises a chilling weekend in the woods and, notably, introduces a new mask design, likely tied up in the recent rights settlement between original creators Victor Miller and Sean Cunningham as reported by iHorror and ComicBookMovie.

The Jason Universe isn’t content with just one media hit: the team announced a forthcoming new Friday the 13th movie alongside a video game in development. While those announcements are big on fan service, industry pundits caution that the franchise has been dogged by delays and court battles over Jason’s mask and likeness. The recent legal dispute resulted in a split, with Cunningham getting most classic hockey mask rights but needing Miller’s approval to move forward. Sweet Revenge’s mask design is speculated to resolve this, though that workaround remains unconfirmed and the business side is still a bit murky according to iHorror.

Meanwhile, Jason’s pop culture currency is rising on several commercial fronts. Youtooz, in partnership with Horror Inc and Jason Universe, announced a new collectible Jason Voorhees vinyl figure, featuring Greg Nicotero’s new design from Sweet Revenge, launching August 26. As reported on Comic Basics and Fridaythe13thfranchise.com, this marks the first major Jason merch tie-in since the relaunch, with hopes it will capture both collectors and new fans.

On the convention circuit, actors who played Jason—especially Ari Lehman, the “First Jason”—are scheduled for live appearances later this week at Nightmare Weekend Cleveland, and social media is ramping up excitement about meet-and-greet events, photo ops, and even the chance to jam with First Jason’s band, as seen in Instagram posts and GalaxyCon announcements. CJ Graham, known for portraying Jason in Part 6, is also slated to appear.

Social media chatter continues around Jason’s possible appearance as a Fortnite character in Chapter 6, a rumor fueled by recent fan leaks and crossover teasers on FandomWire and Instagram, though Epic Games hasn’t confirmed it. The franchise’s legal wrangles and creative splits are still dissected on horror forums, with fans speculating about the future direction and questioning whether the Jason Universe can deliver its promises after years of stalled development. For now, with Sweet Revenge’s premiere and the franchise’s merch push, Jason Voorhees is carving out a fresh legacy—making today’s headlines anything but dead in the water.

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