Charlize Theron was almost ready to step into another chilling role with the Friday the 13th franchise, but it was not to be.

As far as horror franchises go, the Friday the 13th franchise which featured 12 films between 1980 and 2009, became a big hit with fans across the world. While the movies has never found much favor with critics, it succeeded in keeping audiences invested in its narrative featuring the central protagonist Mrs Vorhees and her son Jason.

A still from 1980’s Friday The 13th (image credit: Paramount Pictures)

Following a long gap after the 2009 edition with Danielle Panabaker and Jared Padalecki, fans were excited to hear of the introduction of a series based on the narrative titled Crystal Lake. Reports coming in pointed to one of Hollywood’s biggest stars Charlize Theron playing the terrifying Mrs Voorhees in the show. Unfortunately, this exciting initiative is still to materialize and remains a pipe dream.

Charlize Theron Nearly Played This Chilling Villain In Canceled Friday The 13th Series

The Friday the 13th franchise has been steadily churning out films since the first one in 1980. The popular slasher series that developed on the narrative of camp cook-turned-killer known as Mrs Voorhees and her son Jason, became a hit and somewhat of a cult classic with audiences across the globe.

Charlize Theron in Monster (image credit: Newmarket Films)

The franchise though, has been in a lull since the 12th film of the series which came out in 2009. But viewers were thrilled to learn that Peacock and A24 had collaborated to bankroll a brand new show titled Crystal Lake. While this was exciting information in itself, the bigger news involved the potential high profile casting of Charlize Theron as the ominous central antagonist Mrs Voorhees (via The Wrap).

But sadly, the series which was the brainchild of Hannibal creator Bryan Fuller, did not go past the development stage, and has reportedly been shelved. In addition, it was reported that Fuller and Jim Danger Gray who was co-showrunner, were fired for reasons that are still unclear.

One of the speculations was with regard to the lofty budget that was allegedly demanded by Fuller, which Peacock and A24 were not concurring with. It was rumored that each episode of the show would make the producers lighter in the pocket by $9.6 million, which supposedly led to the creator’s firing and the show’s subsequent cancelation.

For now, audiences can only wonder how perfectly Theron would have fit into the role. The beautiful star who is no stranger to playing challenging characters, would have portrayed the role of a serial killer for the 2nd time if this series had materialized. In the past, Theron won the Oscar for her chilling and transformative performance as homeless sex worker-turned-serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the biopic, Monster.

Die-hard fans of the Mad Max: Fury Road star and aficionados of Friday the 13th would be hoping that the franchise has a change of fortune so that they can see one of their favorite actors doing what she does best.

Charlize Theron Was Heartbroken To Not Be In The Mad Max Prequel

in 2015, George Miller roped in two of Hollywood’s big draws, Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, to play the lead roles in the reboot of his famous Mad Max series. Mad Max: Fury Road was expectedly a huge hit that also benefited greatly from the performances of Theron and Hardy.

Charlize Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road (image credit: Everett)

Theron in particular, who played Furiosa, stunned audiences not just through her acting ability, but also in the way she transformed herself physically. With a shaved head and an edgy, grungy appearance, the Oscar winner came out all guns blazing literally and metaphorically.

Unfortunately for the celebrity, her dream to collaborate further with the franchise did not materialize. When Miller announced a prequel featuring her character, he also confirmed that he would be recasting the role to a younger actor in her 20s to depict the part (via New York Times). This automatically meant that Theron was not in the running to play the role.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, The Devil’s Advocate actor candidly admitted that she was extremely gutted to not have bagged the role, but understood where Miller was coming from regarding his decision for the film.

It’s a tough one to swallow. Listen, I fully respect George, if not more so in the aftermath of making Fury Road with him. He’s a master, and I wish him nothing but the best. Yeah, it’s a little heartbreaking, for sure.

I really love that character, and I’m so grateful that I had a small part in creating her. She will forever be someone I think of and reflect on fondly.

Theron also graciously stated that she wished the best for the franchise and wanted the narratives to move forward through more films with Miller’s able hands guiding the stories all the way.