DID YOU KNOW?

1. This was the first film in the series released by both New Line Cinema and Paramount Pictures. When Platinum Dunes came aboard to develop the film, they wanted the freedom to use scenarios and characters from all of the previous films, despite the different ownership. After a legal dispute, the companies decided to co-produce in the end.

2. Platinum Dunes also produced the remakes of 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' (and its sequel), 'The Amityville Horror', and 'The Hitcher', as well as the reboot of 'A Nightmare On Elm Street' (2010).

3. Jennifer Sciole auditioned for a lead role, but was not chosen.

4. Israeli actress Moran Atias ('Mother Of Tears') was originally cast as Amanda but was replaced by America Olivo early in filming because Moran did not want to do frontal nudity. This change was made after already filming the sex scene with Moran and Richie (Ben Feldman).

5. In the original script, the characters of Clay and Whitney were actually supposed to be Tommy Jarvis and his sister Trish. That was later changed, for whatever reason.

6. Jonathan Liebesman, director of 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning' (2006), which was also produced by Platinum Dunes, was once in negotiations to direct the film, but the job ultimately went to Marcus Nispel who directed the first remake of 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' for Platinum Dunes in 2003.

7. John Moore was considered for the directing job at early stages of production, but was not chosen.

8. Scout Taylor-Compton, famous for Rob Zombie's 'Halloween' films, auditioned for the role of 'Jenna', but it went to Danielle Panabaker instead.

9. Kristina Klebe, also from Rob Zombie's 'Halloween', auditioned for a role, but was not chosen.

10. Aaron Yoo was not chosen to play Chewie until very close to shooting. Up until then, one of the top choices to play him was David Blue.

11. Principal photography wrapped on Friday, June 13, 2008, and the film was released in the U.S. on Friday, February 13, 2009.

12. Warner Bros. (through its New Line Cinema label) distributed the film in North America while Paramount distributed the film in most all other territories. Ironically (and coincidentally), the 1980 original was distributed by Paramount in North America, with international distribution being handled by Warner Bros.

13. The title card of the movie isn't displayed until the end of the opening segment, nearly 25 minutes into the film, making it the latest of any 'Friday' film.

14. The film had the biggest opening weekend of any movie in the franchise, taking in $42.2 million.

15. The film's large opening was the highest of any horror remake, beating out 'The Grudge', which took in $39.1 million in 2004.

16. The character of Sheriff Bracke, played by Richard Burgi, is named after author Peter Bracke, who wrote the book "Crystal Lake Memories".

17. This movie marked the first time Paramount has been associated with the franchise in twenty years, dating back to 'Jason Takes Manhattan' in 1989.

18. Clay and Whitney's last name of Miller is named after Victor Miller, the writer of the original 'Friday The 13th' (1980).

19. According to co-writer Damian Shannon, the character of Jason Voorhees was re-envisioned as more territorial, like a hunter, someone who doesn't kill people at random but will defend his territory from anyone invading it.

20. Director Marcus Nispel similarly claims the film shows new aspects of Jason's personality.

21. Derek Mears says his portrayal of Jason as a survivalist defending his territory is partially inspired by the character of John Rambo in 'First Blood' (1982).

22. Co-writers Damian Shannon and Mark Swift also wrote 'Freddy Vs. Jason' in 2003.

23. When approaching the film, one of the main questions director Marcus Nispel asked himself was what aspects of the 'Friday The 13th' mythology would moviegoers want to see again and again. He was also very concerned about giving the audience what they wanted, but not what they were expecting.

24. Producer Michael Bay walked out of the movie premiere, stating that the film featured too much sex.

25. By design, Jason kills 13 people in the film.

26. After Chewie is killed, his body is hung upside down from the shed's rafter. As he is dangling lifelessly, you can visibly see Aaron Yoo's scar on his abdomen. In real life, Yoo had his appendix removed and director Marcus Nispel wanted that scene to be filmed promptly as Yoo was still recovering from surgery.

27. The character Richie was one of a few characters to have CGI effects added into his death. Derek Mears (Jason) was holding only the handle with half the blade of the fake machete, making it look like it impaled Richie's (Ben Feldman's) head. The visual effects crew digitally superimposed the fake machete to look like it was a completely bladed weapon in the final film.

28. Other actors considered for the role of Jason in this film included Kane Hodder, Ken Kirzinger, and Michael Bailey Smith, who starred alongside Derek Mears in 'The Hills Have Eyes 2'. Ultimately, the producers wanted a new look and felt that Mears best represented what they were looking for.

29. Samuel Bayer, director of the 'Nightmare On Elm Street' remake in 2010, turned down the offer to direct this film before taking that job.

30. Actor Derek Mears (Jason), a big time fan of the 'Friday The 13th' series, was the only actor to do research for the role of Jason, apparently looking deeply into child psychology for his motivation.

31. Actor Jonathan Sadowski (Wade) has a big joke played on him during a night shoot. While going off set to use the restroom, Actors Ben Feldman (Richie) and Nick Mennell (Mike) convinced Derek Mears (Jason) to go hide in the woods in full costume, and scare Jonathan on his way back to set. It worked, as Jonathan was terrified.

32. Director Marcus Nispel was reportedly constantly at odds with the producers (in particular director of photography Daniel Pearl) because of constant, ongoing script changes and an inconsisent shooting schedule.

33. During the scene where Trent (Travis Van Winkle), Clay (Jared Padalecki), and Jenna (Danielle Panabaker) run to escape the house from Jason, Travis actually bumped into Danielle accidentally, causing her to fall and hit her chin on a windowsill. This delayed production, as Danielle sustained a concussion and needed stitches in her chin.

34. A different, unnamed actress was originally cast as Bree, but citing creative differences and her inability to blend and develop a camaraderie with her castmates, that actress was replaced by Julianna Guill.


Know any assorted facts that we don't have here? E-mail them to us at: lairofhorror@yahoo.com and you will get credit for them.



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