Who knew that ‘Friday The 13th‘ has an even more horrifying tale hidden beneath its gory scenes? With its machete-wielding Jason Voorhees, this legendary horror film from 1980 became a cult favorite. But writing the horrific screenplay wasn’t the only thing screenwriter Victor Miller had to do to make this movie a reality. It involved desperate measures, including a literal attempt to sell his blood for $25.
Like the movie itself, Miller’s path to raise the money for it was full of unexpected twists and turns. This battle is evidence of the extent filmmakers are willing to go to, even if it involves selling human fluids, in order to realize their ideals on screen.
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Blood Money: The Extreme Measures Behind ‘Friday The 13th’
Victor Miller’s anecdote about trying to sell his blood is nothing short of jaw-dropping. He explained to Slash Film, “The week before ‘Friday the 13th’ opened — and I’ve told this story many times — I was literally trying to sell my blood to this company in Bridgeport, Connecticut and they were doing a study of antibodies. I went and they drew a little blood to see if I had enough antibodies for the study and if I did then they would take a pint and would have paid me 25 dollars. They called me back the next day saying, ‘You don’t have enough antibodies, sorry you don’t qualify for this study.’ I didn’t get the 25 dollars.“
Miller’s desperation highlights the financial struggles behind the production of ‘Friday the 13th.’ The film, shot on a meager budget of $550,000, seemed doomed to fail. Yet, against all odds, it grossed nearly $40 million in the US, proving that sometimes, even the most wild efforts can pay off in spades.
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Legal Quagmire: The Battle Over Jason
Just when you thought the drama ended with the film’s release, the ‘Friday the 13th‘ saga continues off-screen with legal battles. Victor Miller, after a lengthy legal fight, won the copyright to the original 1980 screenplay in 2021. However, Sean Cunningham, the director, holds the rights to the character Jason Voorhees in later films. This split has created a legal nightmare for future projects.
A prime illustration of the intricacies of intellectual property rights in Hollywood is the continuous court battles. The series is in limbo as a result of these fights, making it a horror show unto itself. In spite of these difficulties, the horror series “Friday the 13th” continues to be a giant, creating a plethora of reboots, sequels, and fan theories. The franchise’s lasting popularity is evidence of its influence. From modest beginnings and financial hardship to a worldwide sensation in the horror genre, “Friday the 13th” never fails to captivate viewers. Miller’s path from selling blood to winning court cases gives this illustrious tale an additional fascinating dimension.
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