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RIP James Isaac

James Isaac directing Kane Hodder on Jason X
Director James Isaac, best known for Jason X, werewolf flick Skinwalkers and his special effects work with David Cronenberg, has passed away at the age of 52 after battling a rare blood cancer.

Isaac began his career in 1983 as a ‘creature technician’ on Return of the Jedi and Gremlins before moving on to work with Cronenberg on the likes of The Fly, Naked Lunch and eXistenZ. His feature directorial debut came in 1983 with The Horror Show aka House III.

In 2002 Isaac directed the tenth instalment of the Friday the 13th series. Jason X's winning sense of humour and genuine adoration of Jason (and his fans) gave the series a much needed jolt of originality and devilish playfulness. Isaac’s work on the vastly underrated film is often overlooked due to its problematic shoot caused by interference from producers, constant re-writes and a delayed release. Isaac was always very candid about his feelings on the film, and was very generous in communicating with fans of the franchise on message forums. When interviewed by Peter M. Bracke for his tome Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th, Isaac stated: “I would have done Jason X so differently now. The final product is not what I had originally imagined, or what we pitched originally to New Line. And that happens all the time. I learned with Jason X that you always, always fight for what you believe. And more than just doing it right, and on time, and on budget, you’re fighting for your vision. And when you get everyone on the same page, only then can they make your vision even better. Way better. But you have to guide them. And that’s when you really come up with something cool.”

Todd Farmer, the screenwriter of Jason X, announced the sad news of Isaac’s death on Facebook and Twitter saying, “Jim Isaac directed my FIRST movie! RIP you beautiful man…” and described the director as “a wonderful man, husband and father.”

RIP James Isaac (June 5, 1960 - May 6, 2012)

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