Dan Trachtenberg to Helm Animated Family Comedy 'Freddy the 13th' at Paramount

Paramount Animation is developing an animated comedy-horror film based on Yehudi Mercado's graphic novel 'Freddy the 13th,' with Dan Trachtenberg attached to direct, according to Deadline. The project comes as part of Trachtenberg's three-year first-look deal with Paramount Pictures, and he will produce alongside longtime collaborator Ben Rosenblatt.

DeadlineDan Trachtenberg to Direct Animated Comedy-Horror 'Freddy the 13th' for Paramount Animation

"Freddy Vanwinkle is the 13th-born son of the 13th-born son, and he fails at everything."

VarietyParamount Developing Animated 'Freddy the 13th' Film Directed by Dan Trachtenberg

The graphic novel, released in late 2025, follows a character who is cursed by his birth order. Despite the horror origins of the source material, Paramount is positioning the film as a PG-rated family comedy, Variety reported. The plot involves Uncle Freddy accidentally killing the Boogeyman and gaining his powers during a family vacation, turning a potentially dark premise into a wholesome story.

Trachtenberg, known for his work on '10 Cloverfield Lane' and 'Prey,' brings a blend of tension and humor to the project. Deadline noted that the film is described as an animated comedy-horror, suggesting a tone that balances scares with laughs for a younger audience. The announcement underscores Paramount's continued investment in animated features with distinctive creative voices.

"The studio promises a PG-rated, wholesome family comedy."

This approach reflects a broader trend in animation where studios adapt edgy properties into family-friendly fare, as seen with recent projects like 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie.' With Trachtenberg's track record and Mercado's graphic novel as source material, 'Freddy the 13th' aims to carve out a niche in the animated comedy space while honoring its horror roots.