[Halloween 2002]
From Dark Horizons 10/21/2002:
Freddy vs. Jason: Corey Feldman indicated on KFI AM 640 the other day he's got a small role (possibly returning as Tommy).
From Dark Horizons 10/18/2002:
Freddy vs. Jason: About.Com spoke with Director Ronny Yu and asked will he bring his Hong Kong martial arts action experience into the film? "The action will be fast, pacing will be fast but it depends what you mean by Hong Kong style action. Like Crouching Tiger, no. Definitely not because I think the audience would be disappointed. You have two guys like flying everywhere? No, no, no. But some very dynamic action, yes". Yu also briefy discussed technique "I think that seeing less is better. That's what Wes was telling Englund all the time. Seeing less is better, more scarier", and his next project which has a Down Under connection - "I actually have a script, an Australian movie. It takes place in the turn of the century. It's a mateship with two men, one Chinese and one Australian. It's about pearl diving in the northern territory in the turn of the century in Australia. So, we're on the eighth draft". Thanks to 'Fred'.
From Comming Soon 10/16/2002:
INTERVIEWS: Ronny Yu on Freddy Vs. Jason!
Director Ronny Hu's Formula 51 opens this Friday, but there's another monster movie of his that's getting a little bit of buzz. Deep into production in Vancouver, Yu was in town for only one day while the Freddy vs. Jason crew was off duty, and shared his recent experiences on the set.
"Last night was the first time I worked with Robert Englund. After we wrapped, he said, 'Ronny, the way you make movies is different.' How do you mean different? 'Different from American or European directors. You don't go the normal way like doing a master, then coverage and da da da da da. You just say what you need and what reaction you need, act scared and jump up.' I said, 'What's so different?'"
Yu confirmed he is shooting multiple endings, and the Kane Hodder would not return as Jason. "New Line wanted a fresh look to Jason, so we hired this guy from Vancouver who actually doubled for Kane. Freddie's the same."
And FvJ will not be straight scares. It wouldn't be Yu if it didn't have some laughs. "I like to have a little bit of humor in all my movies. It doesn't matter what genre. I need the audience when they're sitting there to feel it's a fun thing. So that's why I insist in Bride Of Chucky that they have a lot of fun, like humor, even though it's a nasty humor. Still, you laugh and say, 'Ooh, that's nasty.' But still you laugh."
Freddy vs. Jason wraps in November, for a Summer 2003 release.
From Dark Horizons 10/16/2002:
British Columbia's Film Schedule: A recent document from the International Photographers Guild in Vancouver has revealed a list of what major productions will be shooting in and around British Columbia next year. At present the Canadian province is the site of such major films as "Freddy vs. Jason" and "X-Men 2". On the way though are the likes of "Cats & Dogs 2" which begins Summer 2003, as does "The Chronicles of Riddick". "Preacher" is up for April 2003, quite surprisingly "Scooby Doo 2" is rumoured for 2003 as well (last indications had it pegged to shoot in London). Paramount's live-action "Treasure Island" begins January, and a third "Urban Legend" flick is on the way with no date set yet. Thanks to 'Sue'.
From Fangoria 10/14/2002:
Chuck Jeffreys doing FREDDY VS. JASON fights
ComingSoon is reporting that long-time stuntman Chuck (BLACK HAWK DOWN) Jeffreys is handling the fight choreography on FREDDY VS. JASON after making the switch from stuntwork to choreographing fights on SPIDER-MAN alongside John Medlin.
Jeffreys is a long-time actor and stuntman whose work ranges from an early turn in the Bond film LICENSE TO KILL to more recent work in FALLEN and GHOST DOG: THE WAY OF THE SAMURAI, while doing stunts in BLADE, GLADIATOR and HANNIBAL.
From Dark Horizons 10/14/2002:
Freddy vs. Jason: Filming has been spotted around Buntzen Lake outside Vancouver which is standing in for 'Crystal Lake'. This is the same place where "Lake Placid" was shot.
From Dark Horizons 10/04/2002:
Script with review
From Scifi Wire 10/08/2002:
Yu Talks Freddy vs. Jason
Ronny Yu told SCI FI Wire that it was New Line Cinema's decision, not his, to recast the role of Jason in the Freddy vs. Jason film that he is directing. The studio has cast an unknown Canadian actor as the hockey-masked villain, despite Kane Hodder's four-film history with the franchise.
Yu declined to take sides in the matter. "I'm totally neutral because I don't know Kane and I'm not that familiar with that franchise anyway," he said in an interview. "So for me it's just an actor. Whomever the studio wants [is fine]."
The director noted that his unfamiliarity with either the Friday the 13th or Elm Street franchise gave him a fresh perspective on both, something he also was able to bring to the Child's Play series when he directed Bride of Chucky.
"When I did Chucky, I didn't know anything about Child's Play," Yu said. "That's exactly what the producers from Chucky and the producers from Freddy vs. Jason want. They want a fresh angle, a director with a different style."
Freddy vs. Jason currently is shooting in Vancouver. New Line is aiming for a release date of June 13, 2003.
From Dark Horizons 9/27/2002:
Freddy vs. Jason: Fangoria reports that actor/stuntman Ken Kirzinger will portray Jason Voorhees, whilst Katherine Isabelle, Brendan Fletcher, Gary Chalk and Lochlyn Munro joining the cast.
From Scifi Wire 9/10/02:
The Hollywood Reporter confirmed previously reported rumors that Brad Renfro has left the upcoming supernatural horror film Freddy vs. Jason, to be replaced by Jason Ritter (Swimfan). Monica Keena and Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland also star in the New Line Cinema movie, which pairs horror icons Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) and Jason Voorhees.
Ritter and Keena will play members of a group of friends who team up to spark a battle between Freddy and Jason, the trade paper reported. Renfro's exit was attributed to creative differences, the trade paper added. Ritter is the son of actor John Ritter (Three's Company).
From Comming Soon 9/7/2002:
No Brad Renfro in Freddy Vs. Jason?
Creature-Corner reports that Freddy Vs. Jason lead actor Brad Renfro has been fired from the film...
Like anything of this nature dealing with "young Hollywood actors", reasons for his mysterious departure were withheld – but there's little doubt that rumors will start circulating on the web in the next 24 hours (remember New Line's Devon Sawa/'Final Destination 2' debacle?). Renfro - star of 'Apt Pupil' and the first "name" actor to be cast in 'F vs. J' - was set to star alongside 'Destiny’s Child' singer Kelly Rowlands.
The film was scheduled to start shooting on September 9th and it's said that they are scrambling for a replacement.
From Fangoria 9/6/2002:
With FREDDY VS. JASON set to begin lensing next week, Fango has learned that star Brad Renfro may be exiting the project before it kicks off. Yes, there is no official word from New Line and it may prove that things get worked out in the end, but if not - you heard it here first.
From Dark Horizons 8/22/2002:
Freddy vs. Jason: MTV reports that Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland joined the cast of the horror icon teamup, and Robert Englund also revealed a bit about the plot: "My [current] script dates back to July and boy, it's a good script. It has the one thing that I felt it had to have - we have to get into Jason's nightmares. Whatever's going on, whatever remains of his synapse and psyche, we have to get into that. And they really exploit that in this. There's also a wonderful set piece at a rave that's just an amazing, amazing sequence...Freddy needs Jason. He manipulates him, and then it all starts to fray at the edge. We've really returned to core Freddy in this one. It wouldn't be Freddy if he didn't crack some jokes, and he does in 'Freddy vs. Jason,' but they're a little meaner [and] kind of politically incorrect". Check the link for the full article. Thanks to 'Creedguy20002', 'Clint', 'james', 'FanHalen' & 'elrosadito'.
From AICN 8/16/2002:
The touchy feely Jason Vorhees to battle Freddy Krueger?
Hey folks, Harry here... The news that Kane Hodder is possibly out of FREDDY VS JASON in favor of a new actor that has more 'soulful eyes' well... I've seen the casting request for Jason - They want someone over six foot three, but under six six. They don't want a body builder type... from the look of the casting form, I'd say they are looking for a 1970's era Joe Don Baker big guy look... you know... a sort of Bo Svenson type. They want someone that is more complicated than just an unstoppable, unfazable killing machine, but they went back to Jason's origin of being that boy that was picked on by all the kids in the Neighborhood, but was mentally challenged and deformed, but then drowned by those bastards. They want someone that speaks volumes through slight movements. In a way, it sounds like they are looking for the next Boris Karloff - an actor that can play a monster that seems to have a sense of history, a past. I haven't read the script, but that seems to be what they are looking for in the actor for the part... Which ain't necessarily a bad thing, and given what this director did with BRIDE OF CHUCKY... I'm all about checking this out...
Read all about it here.
From Scifi Wire 8/26/2002:
Smith Tackles Freddy, Jason
Lauren Lee Smith told SCI FI Wire that she would be among the stars of Freddy vs. Jason when the long-awaited face-off between the horror icons commences production Sept. 8 in Vancouver, B.C. "Ronny Yu [Bride of Chucky] is going to direct it," Smith said in an interview. "I'm going to play a character named Gibb."
Smith, who portrays Emma deLauro on the syndicated TV series Mutant X, added, "Gibb is a really fun character. She's sort of this tomboy, a party girl, really crazy and out there. And she doesn't quite make it. [My scenes] are actually at a rave. It should be a really, really fun part. I'm really excited about it."
So who gets to kill Gibb—Freddy (Robert Englund) or the still-yet-to-be cast Jason? "I guess you'll just have to see," Smith said, laughing. "Maybe both. I've seen most of the Friday the 13th movies, but I've only seen the first Nightmare on Elm Street. I just could not see another one. I saw A Nightmare on Elm Street when I was about five years old, and I swear to God, I slept with my mom for the next 10 years. I was completely terrified, and I've not seen one of the films since then. So this should be interesting. It's going to be a crazy schedule for the next two months, but I think Mutant X is going to let me off for an episode or two to go back to Vancouver and do that."
From Dark Horizons 8/19/2002:
Freddy vs. Jason: In truly disturbing news, Fangoria has filed a detailed story about how it appears Kane Hodder may in fact be out of this movie as Jason Voorhees is "re-invented" and possibly taken over by "Halloween: Resurrection's" Brad Loree, the actor who played the Shape (fueling rumors that they needed to fill a "Canadian" top-liner cast quota). Apparently, the characters are being re-designed by Bill Terezakis of WTC Productions who did the effects work for "Final Destination 2" and "Willard," two other recent New Line projects. Jason Voorhees is being re-invented to a point where they're looking for an actor "who can emote pain and anguish over the loss of a loved one." Oh, like the pain horror fans around the world will feel when they axe the much-beloved Kane Hodder? Gotcha. Thanks to 'Gingold'.
also
Freddy Vs. Jason: According to Access Hollywood, Jason Bateman, Lisa Wilcox, and Brian Thompson are all in talks to join the production.
From Dark Horizons 8/13/2002:
Freddy vs. Jason: For the past two weeks, rumors have flown all over the internet about the possibility that Kane Hodder, the actor who has played Jason Voorhees in the most recent four "Friday the 13th" movies, may actually not be in "Freddy Vs. Jason." From the Brad Renfro casting announcement that only stated the Robert Englund was signed to a report on Canadian television last night that the production was looking to cast the role, the speculation is reaching a fever pitch. When I contacted New Line today, the response was straight-up: "We don't have any info yet on who will be playing Jason for that release." Kane Hodder will be appearing this weekend at Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors in Pasadena and will hopefully have more information about this. Thanks to "Mr. Krueger".
From Dark Horizons 8/6/2002:
Freddy vs. Jason: Variety reports that Brad Renfro has joined the cast. The role of Jason remains unlocked in for now.
From Dark Horizons 8/8/2002:
Freddy vs. Jason: Joshua Mihal is tipped for a role in the horror film teamup.
From Dark Horizons 7/25/2002:
Freddy vs. Jason: Moviehole confirms that Heather Langenkamp will not be reprising her Nancy role in the teamup
From Dark Horizons 7/22/2002:
Freddy vs. Jason: Entertainment Weekly indicates "The film will open with Freddy trapped in hell, sending Jason to Elm Street to resume his chopping spree, but Jason is not that easy to deal with". The action shifts to Camp Crystal Lake, and "don't expect a clear cut victor".
From Dark Horizons 7/17/2002:
Freddy vs. Jason: Upcoming Horror Movies indicates this is still the title. Meanwhile Jason Bateman has indicated on Radio CBC that he's been approached for a role.
From Dark Horizons 7/1/2002:
Freddy vs. Jason: As mentioned before, shooting begins in
Canada on September 9th on the ultimate horror icon battle
movie. However, one rather odd thing has emerged - various
audition attendees have claimed to have received brief
synopses of the project which is using the tagline "Forget
Godzilla vs. King Kong - this is the horror clash of them all!".
As for the synopsis itself? "Freddy and Jason are going head
on and "dead" on, and what's gonna happen when a group of
teenagers are thrown into the mix...What the hell do you think
is gonna happen?". From all indications there's about five
major characters aside from all the creepy creatures of the
night. Thanks to 'Tecnodrome'
From Dark Horizons 6/24/2002:
Riddick & FvsJ: The "Pitch Black 2" production is set for an October start in Vancouver, whilst the "Freddy vs. Jason" team-up is aiming for a late Fall start
From Fangoria 6/12/2002:
Freddy vs. Jason: HK Actor Kenneth Tsang apparently told HKATV he's landed a role in the team-up.
NEW* While editor Tony Timpone was off in Vancouver playing a zombie in HOUSE OF THE DEAD (see photo), the word on the street (and from various local crewpeople) was that FREDDY VS. JASON would be shooting in that Canadian city this fall! New Line Cinema expects to officially sign Ronny (BRIDE OF CHUCKY) Yu to direct soon.
From Comming Soon May 16, 2002:
Creature Corner has learned that New Line has tapped director Ronny Yu to bring to life the anticipated "Freddy Vs. Jason" film. Here's a bit from their report...
Many horror fiends will cheer at the mention of his name because they know 'Freddy Vs. Jason' will at least LOOK good (check out his film 'Bride with White Hair' and 'Bride of Chucky'). And if it's the latest script that I've read (which is hella fun) that he's tackling we should get some pretty interesting action pieces too. Yu's latest project 'The 51st State', starring Sam Jackson and Robert Carlyle, is still awaiting a release date from New Line.
"The 51st State" has actually been retitled "Formula 51" and will hit these shores on September 6.
From Scifi Wire April 19, 2002:
Hodder Takes On Freddy Vs. Jason
Kane Hodder, who has played hockey-masked Jason Voorhees in the Friday the 13th films, told SCI FI Wire that he's happy with the approved script for the proposed Freddy vs. Jason movie and offered hints about its central themes. "I just like how this develops the controversy between the two characters and how it's pretty difficult to bring Freddy and Jason together," Hodder said. "Freddy's in your dreams. Jason's in the real world. They were able to do that with this script."
The long-gestating project would pit Jason against Freddy Krueger, the knife-fingered villain from the Nightmare on Elm Street series. Though he was short on details, Hodder assured fans that the plot device would not give Jason nightmares that Freddy would invade. "I can't see Jason sleeping, and then [mimics waking from a nightmare] 'Oh, help me!'"
Hodder said he looks forward to adding another monster to the mix. "I just think it gives me more to play off of, to react to, because someone once again might have some effect on Jason for once, which is part of the reason I liked [Friday the 13th] Part VII before. There was someone that could actually battle Jason somewhat. I think Freddy could be a more worthy adversary than any of the other people have."
The one thing Hodder said that he is most looking forward to in the film is "kickin' Freddy's ass. No doubt. I mean, it's a great idea to have the two characters in the same movie, and New Line knows how to do that kind of stuff, so I would be severely disappointed if we didn't do it. I'm sure we will." Hodder next appears in Jason X, an SF variation on the Friday the 13th mythos, which opens April 26.
From AICN April 10, 2002:
Robert Englund to Direct for Brian Yuzna's FANTASTIC FILMS production company?
Harry here, and I can't help but love Robert Englund. He's one of the very few honest to goodness modern Horror Characters with real patootin' personality. And he loves the genre ta boot. Here he tells Hannibal a bit about what he's up to and getting into. here ya go....
Read all about it here.
From Fangoria March 2002:
FREDDY VS. JASON (New Line):
The matchup everyone's been waiting for is still in development; the latest script is by Mark Swift and Damian Shannon, and is out to a number of indie directors. Robert Englund told the New York Weekend of Horrors crowd that Stephen (BLADE) Norrington is now shepherding the project, but New Line has yet to confirm this.
From Scifi Wire March 2002:
Shaye Talks Freddy Vs. Jason
New Line co-chairman Bob Shaye told SCI FI Wire that he has green-lighted a script for the long-proposed Freddy Vs. Jason movie, based on characters from the Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th franchises. "The basic idea is how does Freddy come back after his banishment and how does he use Jason and eventually have to vanquish him, and then how do the children of Elm Street have to get rid of everybody?" Shaye said in an interview.
Shaye said the proposed movie makes one important reference to a tradition of both Elm Street and Friday the 13th. "It acknowledges [them] to the extent that at the end of every one of the Freddy films and at the end of every one of the Jason films, the bad guys get sent back," Shaye said. "Now, I think one of the two characters is going to try to enlist the other in concert to come back again and maybe not have to leave. That's basically what the storyline is." The new script does not specifically address events in the latest Nightmare movie, Wes Craven's New Nightmare, in which Shaye and other New Line Cinema stars appeared as themselves.
Shaye said the new film also has a sense of humor. "It's funny in a sort of macabre, cynical way, which is what all of the Freddy scripts have been," he said. "It doesn't abuse the fan base or condescend [or say], 'We can make jokes, because this is really all bullsh-t.' It's scary, it's wry, and in fact even today one of the writers was alluding to the Renny Harlin Elm Street [Part 4], where in the waterbed scene, he said, 'How do you like this wet dream?' That's funny, but it's nasty."
