Slash of the Titans: The Road to Freddy Vs Jason

I didn't realize, when I began reading this book, that it was by the co-author of the two Taking Shape books, which explored the history of the Halloween franchise. The realization was no surprise, though -- this book has the same sort of loving dissection of all the possible paths Freddy Vs. Jason could have taken as the Taking Shape books. For fans of either franchise, seeing all of the roads not taken is intriguing (and in a few instances, at least, a little sad, as some of the abandoned ideas seem pretty great). I'll have to look out for McNeill's other books, and if there's a chance for similar books about the Friday and Nightmare franchises as a whole, he can count me in as a reader.

Being a fan of the Friday the 13th film series and, to a lesser extent, the Nightmare on Elm Street series, the idea of having Freddy and Jason go at each other seemed like a real horror fans' dream (or nightmare?) come true. Still, it took a good ten years and more than a dozen scripts and story treatments before both camps gave the green light. Mr. McNeill, who did a fantastic job with his books on the Halloween movies, does another first-rate job in breaking down the on-again off-again development of the seminal slasher movie, giving you an interesting peak into not only what was, but what could-have-been as well. The print font on the version I received was a little small, making the reading experience a little difficult for this older fanboy. Still, I recommend this book very strongly to those who love Jason, love Freddy, love horror movies in general, and for those who just want to learn more about studio politics and the process of getting a long-awaited project off the ground...

This is the book in so many ways I had been waiting for. I had heard about some of the ideas and scripts written for Freddy vs. Jason leading up to the final wonderful product so it was great to finally see them all talked about in one place. There were only about two I'd say that would have ever made a really good Freddy vs. Jason movie because they stuck to the ideals and were overall true to the characters. Just as there were a few scripts that were just plain off the wall awful no matter how you look at it, read the Adam Marcus interview. Now unlike another reviewer did I won't cut my rating down just over how interviews were conducted or dislike of a writer. I do like Jason Goes to Hell while I also understand why others don't, it's the way they'll attack you for liking it. The Adam Marcus interview is proof of a director/writer that has no clue of what he's doing when going for an audience. His a film by the fans for the fans is one of the most blissfully ignorant statements ever because he doesn't have a clue what the fans want and need. When I read his plans for Freddy vs. Jason it was a true thank God moment that he wasn't allowed anywhere near the thing. There were a few truly arrogant writers that just by their attitudes I wouldn't have wanted to see their movies. From Peter Briggs just being absolutely insulting to the Friday franchise to Mark Protosevich just being one of the most arrogant people I can imagine and comments towards horror being the bottom of the barrel. Briggs draft also though while terrible for this movie would make a really great movie otherwise. More like Warlock in a way was my feel or End of Days. There truly are a few scripts that could work as other movies. It was just really great to see how the development progressed and see the many ideas, including how some themes stuck around. I also may be in the minority but I love Jason X so I'm not entirely sad it did take so long and I loved the final movie we got. I felt it fit right in with both series where as most scripts just don't seem like they would have truly belonged. I don't mind the interview style in this book as I don't feel this had to be critical to the writer as much as just getting the story. This book is for Nightmare and Friday fans truly and I recommend it completely.

McNeill is a master at guiding the reader through this hypothetical landscapes, and his coverage is very in-depth. As a child of the 80's/90's, and as someone who read every creature magazine I could get my hands on, this feels like a personal wish come true. I recommend this book to anyone fascinated by film, by slasher films, and by the horror genre in general.

Details on the troubled production history of FREDDY VS. JASON and listing all the various scripts submitted to get these two fighting after the hint of it in JASON GOES TO HELL's final scene. The troubled production includes a dozen or so treatments that, more or less, all were interesting movies but no one could agree on making. It actually skips over describing the actual movie's merits and I found that to be a disappointment.The book talks about the two graphic novel sequels as well, both of which I think would have made excellent films. I'm sorry Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell passed on having Ash kill both of the supervillains for a final time. This is really only interesting to a serious horror aficionado (of which I am). A lot of the information is also available in CRYSTAL LAKE MEMORIES and NEVER SLEEP AGAIN. I tend to recommend those over this one for their broader scope but it's still a fun book.8/10

McNeill does a deep dive into the entire process - and every pitch known to man, and some we probably didn't know about - and almost everyone involved to show us exactly what it takes to get a seemingly 'obvious' film into production, and what's actually at the _core_ of the two monsters. Fascinating stuff in the many completely different ways people try to tie Freddy & Jason's pasts together, how people get around continuity (complete with Sean Cunningham interviewed telling us to not think too hard about it), and how Freddy's personality in the pitches changes as soon as New Nightmare comes out

Is what you would expect. Husband really enjoyed all the interesting facts inside.

Absolutely loved this book what a great read about the movie .the different script idea's are really out there .

I loved the way this book looked and the content was very interesting.

Good read