The Jason Universe, under the stewardship of its original owners, has embarked on an ambitious multi-platform expansion this year, unveiling an array of exciting developments ranging from NECA toys to a captivating Halloween Horror Nights attraction. But what other surprises does this year hold in store? This afternoon, Variety broke the news about "Sweet Revenge," a "short-form vignette" poised to be the linchpin of the franchise's daring 45th anniversary campaign.
What exactly does this entail? Well, "Sweet Revenge" appears to be a high-gloss commercial for Angry Orchard Hard Cider, with the mini-film set to make its debut on the Jason Universe YouTube channel as well as a dedicated site hosted by Angry Orchard. According to Variety, Angry Orchard is sponsoring this vignette as part of a broader collaboration with the iconic franchise.
Directed by Mike P. Nelson (Wrong Turn), who has also recently wrapped up production on Cineverse and Bloody Disgusting's reboot of Silent Night, Deadly Night, "Sweet Revenge" promises to be more than just a commercial. "I am incredibly grateful that the team at Horror, Inc. saw potential in 'Sweet Revenge' and wanted it to be part of the Jason Voorhees saga!" Nelson enthused in a statement. "To think that, 30 years ago, I was sneaking peeks at these movies on VHS when no one was watching. The opportunity to write and direct one of these stories is surreal – especially with an extraordinary team led by Chad Villella and Brianna Lee Johnson bringing it to life! This vignette is not only a fresh take on the beloved IP but also a comforting, gory embrace that reminds us why we fell in love with these films in the first place. Brace yourselves for a lot of gruesome fun!"
Marc Toberoff of Friday 13th LLC added, "Jason has always been a formidable force in pop culture, and the 45th anniversary felt like the perfect juncture to do something truly unexpected. Partnering with Horror, Inc. and Angry Orchard, who share our enthusiasm, has opened up fresh avenues to engage our fans. It's thrilling to witness the franchise evolve with such creativity while staying true to what makes Jason iconic."
"We were absolutely thrilled when Mike Nelson came on board, and Angry Orchard sponsored the production to help us bring this vision to life in an unexpectedly wicked manner," echoed Sheri Conn, the chief marketing officer at Horror, Inc. "Even in a short vignette, Nelson will skillfully encapsulate our shared vision – honoring the franchise's heritage while delivering something fresh and exhilarating for a new generation."
Moreover, Jason Universe plays a pivotal role in the upcoming Peacock and A24 TV series "Crystal Lake," an expanded prequel to the original film franchise that commenced production just last week.
In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for "Sweet Revenge" later this summer in 2025.
