More than 20 years after its theatrical release, Freddy vs. Jason remains a horror event quite unlike anything else. Because studios are so protective over franchises, getting New Line and Paramount to play ball and let A Nightmare on Elm Street merge with Friday the 13th was no easy process. It finally happened in 2003 with Robert Englund back as Freddy and Ken Kirzinger suiting up as Jason. In a better world, Kane Hodder would have been under that hockey mask.
Hardcore Friday the 13th fans know the one and only Kane Hodder's name, with the actor playing Jason in The New Blood, Jason Takes Manhattan, Jason Goes to Hell and Jason X. He embodied a hulking, brutal take on the Camp Crystal Lake slasher adored by fans, even if the movies he was in aren’t at the top of everyone’s ranking. He was Jason during the stretch when this crossover was being discussed and, by all rights, should have played Jason opposite Englund. So, why didn’t that happen? Hodder has offered some new insight into the whole thing.
On a recent episode of the Talks From The Crypt podcast, Hodder went into detail regarding the Freddy vs. Jason situation. While he’s talked about it many times before, this was truly extensive. The actor explained that they went to make Jason X after Jason Goes to Hell when the development of Freddy vs. Jason stalled. Then, it finally happened. Per Hodder…
“I was called into New Line Cinema to meet with an executive. I probably shouldn’t say her name, but I sat in her office, just her and me, she gave me the script and said, ‘We’re finally doing this movie.’ I was so excited because I wanted to do it for years.”
That’s how the meeting went and Hodder believed that meant they were going to bring him back as Jason for the team-up flick, which was directed by Ronny Yu. Unfortunately, that’s not how it went down.
“If you’re in an office with someone that’s in power and they give you the script and say we’re finally doing this movie, wouldn’t you think you have the job?” Hodder posited “Even though no contract has been signed, I was given the script and told we’re finally doing this movie.”
Time went on and the excitement waned because Hodder heard little to nothing from the folks at New Line Cinema, aka “the house that Freddy built.” That led the actor to become a bit nervous and, unfortunately, he had reason to be. As he further explained…
“As the weeks went on I didn’t get much contact from them and I started worrying because that’s Hollywood, man. Once you don’t hear anything for a while you start thinking, ‘Uh oh.’ Then, eventually, I was told that they chose someone else.”
When asked if he was given a reason why, Hodder replied, “Not really.” He further added, “The only thing I ever heard is they wanted somebody taller.” Enter Ken Kirzinger, who was a couple of inches taller than Hodder. He also happened to live in Vancouver, where the movie was shooting.
“I realized they were shooting the movie in Vancouver again, which is where we shot Part VIII, and that’s where Kurszinger lives,” Hodder said. “I could only assume it was some kind of budget thing.”
Hodder also explained that Kurszinger played Jason in a single shot in Jason Takes Manhattan, which was allegedly used to help get him the role. Hodder did make it very clear that he had no beef with Kurszinger. He understands actors are replaced, but it was about how the studio handled it. “Don’t do it after being told you had the job,” he concluded.
So that’s it. So far as Hodder knows to this very day, it was all about wanting someone taller and, quite probably, cheaper. Meanwhile, the man who had helped characterize Jason for nearly 20 years up to that point was left out in the cold. He did go on to have a long career, playing Victor Crowley in the Hatchet franchise, among many other roles. But missing out on this horror crossover remains the “lowest point” of his career. Understandably so.
Meanwhile, the Friday the 13th franchise is slowly coming back to life, with a new official short film coming out later this year titled Sweet Revenge. We’ve also got the upcoming TV show for Peacock, Crystal Lake, to look forward to. Freddy and A Nightmare on Elm Street remain on the sidelines for the time being.
For more, Bruce Campbell explains why Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash didn’t happen.
