Every slasher flick needs a fine-looking scream queen to indulge in a little high-risk hanky panky, lead the killer on a frantic foot race through the woods, develop the desperate guts to fight back and -- should she be so lucky -- live to tell about it. In 'Friday the 13th,' the new horror reboot from horror reboot masters Brad Fuller and Andrew Form (2003's 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre,' 2005's 'The Amityville Horror' and 2010's upcoming 'Nightmare on Elm Street'), that role belongs to rising star Danielle Panabaker.
Best known for playing James Woods' daughter on the CBS series 'Shark,' Panabaker is becoming a regular on the big screen too. Early roles include family fare like 2005's 'Sky High,' but the 21-year-old actress began growing out of her PG threads with the Kevin Costner thriller 'Mr. Brooks.' Panabaker came out from under the bed to talk to Moviefone about running from Jason Voorhees -- who it turns out, is much sweeter once you get to know him. -- By Kevin Polowy
1. What do you say to someone who asks "Why the hell would you remake 'Friday the 13th'"?
I don't think it's as much a remake ... it's more of a re-envisioning. It's being introduced to a whole new generation. It's been 30 years since Jason was first introduced to the world, and it seems like it's time for this generation to be able to experience the terror that Jason provides ... It's still very respectful to the originals, the camp aspect of it, and teenagers running around getting into trouble. I think that's still really fun. But the new one is so scary. And some of the kills in this movie are out of this world, they're so gruesome and disgusting. It's great to see how far films have come that we can now create such terrifying [shots].
Danielle Panabaker Photos
Actresses Brenda Song and Danielle Panabaker arrive at the Los Angeles premiere of "Friday The 13th" at Grauman's Chinese Theater on February 9, 2009 in Hollywood, California. "Friday The 13th" Los Angeles Premiere - Arrivals Grauman's Chinese Theater Hollywood, CA United States February 9, 2009 Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com To license this image (16538750), contact WireImage.com
Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com
Actresses Brenda Song and Danielle Panabaker arrive at the Los Angeles premiere of "Friday The 13th" at Grauman's Chinese Theater on February 9, 2009 in Hollywood, California. "Friday The 13th" Los Angeles Premiere - Arrivals Grauman's Chinese Theater Hollywood, CA United States February 9, 2009 Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com To license this image (16538749), contact WireImage.com
Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com
Actress Danielle Panabaker arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "Friday The 13th" at Grauman's Chinese Theater on February 9, 2009 in Hollywood, California. "Friday The 13th" Los Angeles Premiere - Arrivals Grauman's Chinese Theater Hollywood, CA United States February 9, 2009 Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com To license this image (16538752), contact WireImage.com
Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com
Actress Danielle Panabaker arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "Friday The 13th" at Grauman's Chinese Theater on February 9, 2009 in Hollywood, California. "Friday The 13th" Los Angeles Premiere - Arrivals Grauman's Chinese Theater Hollywood, CA United States February 9, 2009 Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com To license this image (16538751), contact WireImage.com
Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com
Actress Danielle Panabaker arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "Friday The 13th" at Grauman's Chinese Theater on February 9, 2009 in Hollywood, California. "Friday The 13th" Los Angeles Premiere - Arrivals Grauman's Chinese Theater Hollywood, CA United States February 9, 2009 Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com To license this image (16538745), contact WireImage.com
Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com
Actress Danielle Panabaker and Actress Amanda Righetti attend the after party of the Los Angeles premiere of "Friday The 13th" at Grauman's Chinese Theater on February 9, 2009 in Hollywood, California. "Friday The 13th" Los Angeles Premiere - After Party Grauman's Chinese Theater Hollywood, CA United States February 9, 2009 Photo by Todd Williamson/WireImage.com To license this image (56689310), contact WireImage.com
Todd Williamson/WireImage.com
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 09: Actors Ryan Hanson and Danielle Panabaker pose at the afterparty for the premiere of Warner Bros.' "Friday The 13th" at My House on February 9, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ryan Hanson;Danielle Panabaker
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 09: Actors Travis Van Winkle, Danielle Panabaker, Amanda Righetti, Jared Padalecki, Aaron Yoo, Ben Feldman and Jonathan Sadowski pose at the afterparty for the premiere of Warner Bros.' "Friday The 13th" at My House on February 9, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Travis Van Winkle;Danielle Panabaker;Amanda Righetti;Jared Padalecki;Aaron Yoo;Ben Feldman;Jonathan Sadowski
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 09: Actors Danielle Panabaker Travis Van Winkle, Amanda Righetti and Jared Padalecki pose at the afterparty for the premiere of Warner Bros.' "Friday The 13th" at My House on February 9, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Danielle Panabaker;Travis Van Winkle;Amanda Righetti;Jared Padalecki
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 09: Actors Travis Van Winkle, Danielle Panabaker, Jared Padalecki and Jonathan Sadowski pose at the afterparty for the premiere of Warner Bros.' "Friday The 13th" at My House on February 9, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Travis Van Winkle;Danielle Panabaker;Jared Padalecki;Jonathan Sadowski
Getty Images
2. So is it safe to assume you're a big fan of horror?
I'm actually a big sissy when it comes to horror movies. When I got cast in this, I ran out and rented the original 'Friday the 13th,' and some of the horror movies [producers] Brad and Andrew had done, and I had to watch them during the daylight with the blinds open so I wouldn't be scared and have nightmares ... I came out of the screening for this movie shaking. It's so gruesome, it's so fast-paced. I'm really excited for people to see it.
3. What else do you think this one has over the original aside from the gruesome factor?
I think this Jason is really scary. Not that the original one wasn't, but I feel like with Derek Mears' performance, and the way they present him, Jason is so terrifying. And this movie's also very contemporary, there's a lot of kids running around having sex, there's a lot of pot-smoking. It's really fun, but it's also really scary.
4. Is it just me, or is Derek just as scary in real life? The guy is huge.It's so funny, because if you were ever to meet Derek on the street, because he's such a big guy, not only is he tall but he's really strong, your instinct would be to be scared of him. But he's actually like the sweetest man I've ever had the pleasure of working with. He's so kind, and such a good soul. He's also incredibly funny. He has a comedy background, and he's just a delight to be around.
5. You've made a pretty quick transition from more family-oriented movies to thrillers and horror. Is it all more mature stuff from here on out?
I don't know, I don't want to rule anything out. I feel like I'm still growing and changing as an actress, and certain roles have spoken to me in different ways, so I'm excited. You never know, especially in the era of 'Gossip Girl,' where you're seeing older people play younger people. So I wouldn't rule out high school, but I do think it's time for me to do some more mature parts.
Reader Comments (3)
katie queen at 12:20PM on Mar 7th 2009
I have seen all of the old Friday the 13th movies, but I haven't seen this one yet. I might go see it tomorrow with my older brother. We both wanna see how it will turn out. I think that, well, from what i hear, that this movie is very very scary. And.i like that fact. I am like sooooo in love with scary movies. I loveee them. I love Jason. He is awesome. I hope this turns out really good. I hope that it will be alot like the old ones. I can't wait to see it. I'm very excited.
robbie at 7:47PM on Feb 15th 2009
Friday the 13th rocked but I was about to wet my pants it was so scary but atleast it didn"t have Freddy Cruiger in it I'm sick of Freddy Cruiger!!!!!
JULIAAN BROWN at 4:13AM on Oct 2nd 2009
FRIDAY 13th REMAKE = NOT TO BE NOTICED. AVERAGE. NOT TO BE COMPARED TO EXCELLENT 'FIRST FRIDAY...'.
POOR ACTING : PANABAKER.
JUL