Greg Nicotero Was Surprised by Fans’ Reaction to Jason Voorhees’ New Look

by

While fans eagerly anticipate updates on the future of the Friday the 13th series and its development into the Jason Universe, some people are still unhappy with Jason Voorhees’ updated appearance. The Jason Universe doesn’t present a completely different version of the iconic killer, but a few changes have been noticeable, and the adjustments made to his signature hockey mask have sparked the most debate. Greg Nicotero, a renowned makeup effects artist who’s worked on popular horror series like The Walking Dead, Halloween, and Creepshow, participated in the redesign, and he’s confessed to being surprised by the strong negative response.

Recently, Nicotero appeared on the YouTube show Born2BeRad, discussing his career and his recent work with the Jason Universe. The host admitted he was unsure about what the new direction for the Jason Voorhees franchise meant, and Nicotero playfully responded, “I don’t even think they know.” The makeup artist then explained how he became involved in creating the look of the mask:

A friend of mine runs a merchandising company – he’s done work for shows like Creepshow and Walking Dead. I’ve known him for years, and he told me someone was looking for a mask maker. When (Jason Universe) contacted us, they already had a design in mind. They showed it to me and said, ‘This is what we’re looking for,’ and I thought the eye shape and overall design was interesting. We then created a physical prototype, which took months of refinement. We even sculpted a full Jason bust – something no one has ever seen – because they wanted us to develop a unique look, and I think that was a really great approach.

Regarding the mask, I’m a bit surprised by the strong reactions it’s getting. I actually think the design is fine – even interesting – and it still feels true to the character’s core identity. It’s just a little more stylized, particularly in the shape of the eyes and face. But honestly, you can’t please everyone. No matter how slightly you alter something, fans will always have opinions.

The Jason in the ‘Jason Universe’ Isn’t the Best – But At Least It’s Something

It’s fair to say the mask wasn’t the only thing that seemed a little strange when the Jason Universe was first shown. Considering how often AI is criticized in filmmaking these days, the biggest recent release in the horror genre debuted with an image that just doesn’t quite look right. It appears digitally manipulated and lacks vibrancy. It wasn’t the ideal first look at Jason in over ten years, but as Horror Inc. promised, this is the start of a brand new universe, and it’s all we have for now.

Nicotero’s role is fairly small. He isn’t as heavily involved as some people assumed, and his statements suggest he’s intentionally creating some separation from this new project, which likely intends to move the Friday the 13th series into the background. He also provided a reasonable explanation for the changes being made to Jason’s character:

I really think they altered the mask specifically to be able to copyright it – to really own the design. It’s not just any ordinary hockey mask, you know? Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s exactly what happened.

Read More

2025-10-04 18:12