Are Jason Voorhees and the Transformers are a part of the same universe?
For several years, a theory has persisted with fans that Friday the 13th (2009) is set in the same universe as Michael Bay’s live-action Transformers movies. The reason for this boiled down to circumstantial evidence and had not been addressed publicly by the cast and crew of the films. Now, the actor at the heart of the theory has finally offered an official answer.
Let’s rewind for a moment for the fans unaware of the possible connection between the two franchises. In the first Transformers film released in 2007, actor Travis Van Winkle plays the role of Trent, an ex-boyfriend of Megan Fox’s Mikaela. In 2009’s Friday the 13th, Van Winkle also stars as one of the main characters, again playing someone named Trent. Notably, Transformers director Michael Bay served also served as a producer on Friday the 13th.
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With the same actor playing a character named Trent in both Transformers and Friday the 13th, speculation was sparked that this was actually the same character. If so, that would mean that the events of Friday the 13th are happening in the same world as the Transformers films. The thinking is that after the events of Transformers, Trent later took a trip to Crystal Lake with some friends where he met his eventual fate at the hands of Jason Voorhees.
Muddying the waters of the speculation is the belief that the two characters have different last names, though it should also be noted that Trent’s surname is not stated in the film, or in the credits, of Transformers. There was a novelization, however, that referred to him as Trent DeMarco. That conflicts with a deleted scene from Friday the 13th with police officers receiving a 911 call from “the Sutton residence,” suggesting that’s Trent’s last name in the horror film.
Generally, differences made from novelizations of feature films are not seen as canon to those films. It’s also debatable whether deleted scenes should be treated as canon. To clear the air, someone directly involved would need to address the Friday the 13th and Transformers connection, and the moment has arrived.
Travis Van Winkle Has Weighed In
There may have been some fan debate over whether Van Winkle’s roles were really one in the same. Now, Van Winkle himself has commented on the claim in a new video posted on YouTube by ScreenRant. While debunking AI-generated claims about him as being true or false, Van Winkle commented on if his Transformers and Friday the 13th roles were the same character. He confirmed that they are, but says he didn’t realize it at the time.
“I don’t know what I’m best known for, that’s not for me to decide, but that is true — I did play the same character in both films,” he said. “But, I was unaware of it at the time, and since the films have been out now for over a decade, that’s become the lore. People don’t know why, but, yeah.”
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With Van Winkle’s confirmation, the link appears to be official. Now, the mystery that remains is why there was never a crossover between the two franchises, as Jason may have finally met his match taking on Optimus Prime.
