Jason Voorhees to return in Friday the 13th Part XIII

Jason Voorhees – who is the only non-zombie to return from the dead – is making another appearance on the big screen, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Sources say New Line and Platinum Dunes are moving forward on a Friday the 13th “sequel” and that Damian Shannon and Mark Swift, who wrote the recently released series reboot, are working on a script. While nothing has been finalized, the new film is likely since Friday the 13th was a surprise hit this winter, earning $70 million worldwide.

However, the new “Friday” is expected to be more of a follow-up than an actual sequel. Jason Voorhees will be the maniacal killer, but the new film is expected to use elements of the original franchise more as a starting point than as a template. Why? The recently released reboot drew from the first four pictures in the cult series, but producers are said not to be keen on the half-dozen sequels that followed those four. And

Director Marcus Nispel, who helmed the latest movie, is a possible but unlikely candidate to helm the “Friday” follow-up, and is looking to work across other genres (he also directed The Texas Chainsaw Massacre).

Jared Padalecki and Amanda Righetti are more likely to return, following a tradition from the original movies. However the report doesn’t have any story elements – for example, if they get offed at the beginning of a new film. Both are also are on hit TV shows (Supernatural and The Mentalist) and their schedules may not accommodate a new film.

The Friday the 13th producers are currently focused on another franchise reboot – A Nightmare on Elm Street – which beings shooting in April 2009.