Jason Blum's Relentless Quest: Why 'Friday the 13th' and 'Nightmare on Elm Street' Remain His Ultimate Obsessions
"I Will Never Give Up" – that's the battle cry from Jason Blum when it comes to securing the rights to horror's most legendary properties. And this is the part most people miss: despite building an empire of original horror franchises, Blum's hunger for the classics hasn't diminished one bit.
If the Blumhouse founder could snap his fingers like Thanos, he'd be collecting iconic horror franchises the same way the Mad Titan gathered Infinity Stones – methodically, obsessively, and with unwavering determination. While his production company has successfully launched multiple original horror universes that have become household names – think Paranormal Activity, Insidious, The Purge, and the more recent The Black Phone – Blum's true passion lies in resurrecting the legendary slasher franchises that defined the genre for generations.
So far, Blum has managed to capture only a select few of these coveted properties. The most notable success story? Halloween, which Blumhouse breathed new life into through a trilogy that continued the harrowing saga of Michael Myers, final girl Laurie Strode, and – yes, you read that correctly – a character named Corey Cunningham who divided fans everywhere. Then there's The Exorcist, though that particular revival has encountered some significant bumps along its demonic road (https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3871411/mike-flanagans-the-exorcist-will-definitely-not-be-hitting-its-march-2026-release-date/).
But here's where it gets interesting: Blumhouse recently added another legendary franchise to its roster. Earlier this year, the company officially came aboard the SAW franchise, bringing original creator James Wan back into the creative process to guide a fresh installment (https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3894060/producer-explains-exactly-what-happened-with-saw-xi-before-blumhouse-acquired-the-rights/) of the torture-filled series that has captivated audiences for nearly two decades.
With Blumhouse having officially departed from Haddonfield and the world of Michael Myers, what's on the horizon? In an extensive and revealing interview with Variety (https://variety.com/2025/film/features/jason-blum-blumhouse-interview-1236542196/), Jason Blum opened up about his franchise ambitions and the properties he's still desperately trying to acquire.
First, let's address the elephant in the room: Blum has officially confirmed that Blumhouse no longer holds the rights to produce Halloween films. Breaking it down for fans, he clarified, "We don't own the rights anymore. I had a three-picture deal. But I would do another Halloween movie." The door isn't permanently closed in his mind – it's just temporarily out of reach. Additionally, Blum disclosed that Blumhouse recently competed to secure The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise, but ultimately lost out when A24 swooped in to claim the rights (https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3900613/the-texas-chain-saw-massacre-a24-has-landed-the-film-and-tv-rights-to-the-franchise/).
"We were in the mix. The deal isn't closed, but we probably won't get it," Blum candidly acknowledged, showing a rare moment of acceptance in his otherwise relentless pursuit.
So which horror properties keep him up at night? Which franchises does he dream about bringing under the Blumhouse umbrella? Blum didn't hold back in his conversation with Variety, declaring with unmistakable passion: "Friday the 13th and Freddy Krueger, those are my two white whales."
For those unfamiliar with the term, "white whale" refers to an obsessive, seemingly unattainable goal – borrowed from Herman Melville's classic novel Moby-Dick. And these two franchises certainly fit that description for Blum.
The Nightmare on Elm Street franchise has remained dormant for many years now, with no significant developments or announcements on the horizon. However, Friday the 13th tells a completely different story. After being trapped in a nightmarish web of legal disputes and rights issues for what felt like an eternity, Jason Voorhees is finally making his return through an ambitious new "Jason Universe" initiative. A24 has partnered with Peacock to produce a prequel television series called "Crystal Lake," and industry insiders report that a brand-new Friday the 13th theatrical film is currently in the early stages of development.
And this is the part most people miss: with A24 now controlling both Texas Chainsaw Massacre and having a significant role in the Friday the 13th universe, they're becoming a major competitor to Blumhouse in the legacy horror franchise space. Does this create a rivalry, or could there be potential for collaboration down the line?
Here's the controversial question that needs to be asked: Is Blum's obsession with acquiring these classic franchises actually the best strategy for horror's future? While nostalgia-driven reboots can be profitable, do they sometimes overshadow the innovative, original content that Blumhouse has proven it can create? Some fans argue that the industry should focus more on fresh voices and new nightmares rather than endlessly recycling the slashers of the 1980s. Others believe these iconic characters deserve to be kept alive for new generations.
What's your take? Should Blum keep chasing these white whales, or shouldБлумhouse double down on creating the next generation of horror icons? Do you think a Blumhouse-produced Friday the 13th or Nightmare on Elm Street would honor the originals, or would it be another divisive reboot? Drop your thoughts in the comments – and don't hold back if you disagree.
Stay tuned for more developments on all of these horror franchises – and whether Blumhouse will finally land one of its white whales.
Writer in the horror community since 2008. Editor in Chief of Bloody Disgusting. Owns Eli Roth's prop corpse from Piranha 3D. Has two awesome cats. Still plays with toys.
